Anesthesia Coding Alert
Choose 64450 or ‘Unlisted’ for SPANK Block
Question: The anesthesiologist administered a SPANK (sensory posterior articular nerve of knee) block for postoperative pain management following total knee replacement surgery, rather than using a femoral or adductor canal block. What is the best way to report this service? Wyoming Subscriber Answer: The current CPT® code set does not include a code specifically for a SPANK block. Your best option is to report the service as a peripheral nerve block (64450, Injection(s), anesthetic agent(s) and/or steroid; other peripheral nerve or branch), which covers all nerves outside of the peripheral nervous system that do not have a specific code. Any time you see a new procedure, it is a good idea to discuss the procedure with your provider to help determine which option will best represent the service. Include clear documentation of the procedure to support the claim.
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