Anesthesia Coding Alert
Lidocaine Bundles Up With Other Injection Codes
Question: Our physicians want to replace their current injection process for ESIs and joint injections with a drug consisting of lidocaine, marcaine, and Depo-Medrol. They are suggesting using code J3490, which is an unlisted code. Aren’t lidocaine and marcaine bundled into the procedure when used for numbing? Shouldn’t we just bill J1030 for the Depo-Medrol?
Florida Subscriber
Answer: Yes, lidocaine and marcaine are included in the surgical procedure and are not separately reimbursed. You can code for the Depo-Medrol, based on the amount injected:
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