Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: How should I code radiofrequency of an ilioinguinal neuroma?

Washington Subscriber

Answer: When a physician performs radiofrequency ablation, he usually "cooks" the nerve to permanently destroy it. Therefore, the best code for standard radiofrequency procedures is 64640 (Destruction by neurolytic agent; other peripheral nerve or branch).
 
In many cases, the physician first administers a temporary block to verify the treatment location and ensure the block will relieve the patient's pain. In your situation, report the temporary block with 64425 (Injection, anesthetic agent; ilioinguinal, iliohypogastric nerves). If the temporary block works, the physician follows with radiofrequency during another visit.