Question: Which code should I report for paravertebral blocks used for post operative pain relief following breast surgery? Answer: Because paravertebral blocks are for the spinal area and you're coding for pain relief following breast surgery, your best bet is to rely on a different group of codes. Intercostal nerve blocks address the correct anatomic area of pain following breast surgery. Answers to You Be the Coder and Reader Questions were provided by Eileen Lorenco, RHIT, CS, CPC, coder with Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Mass.
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Report the post-op care with 64420 (Injection, anesthetic agent; intercostal nerve, single) or 64421 (... intercostal nerves, multiple, regional block), depending on the number of injections administered.