Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: What are the correct surgical and anesthesia codes for placing a stimulator with a percutaneous wire? The diagnosis is urinary retention.


Maryland Subscriber

Answer: CPT includes two surgical codes for this procedure: 64580 (Incision for implantation of neurostimulator electrodes; neuromuscular) and 64581 (... sacral nerve [transforaminal placement]). These crosswalk to several anesthesia codes, depending on where the surgeon places the electrodes.

Before assigning an anesthesia code, verify whether the surgeon had the patient in a prone or supine position. If he was in a prone position, report 00300 (Anesthesia for all procedures on the integumentary system, muscles and nerves of head, neck, and posterior trunk, not otherwise specified). If the patient was in the supine position, report 00400 (Anesthesia for procedures on the integumentary system on the extremities, anterior trunk and perineum; not otherwise specified). 

You Be the Coder and Reader Questions were reviewed by Margaret Lamb, CPC, of Great Falls Clinic in Great Falls, Mont.