Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: What CPT code should I report for a "caudal block" for post-op pain?


Missouri Subscriber

Answer: First, remember you can only code separately for this block if the physician did not use the catheter as the mode of anesthesia during the surgery. If you're able to report it, the correct code depends on whether the physician administered a single injection or used continuous infusion.
 
Your choices are 62311 (Injection, single [not via indwelling catheter], not including neurolytic substances, with or without contrast [for either localization or epidurography], of diagnostic or therapeutic substance[s] [including anesthetic, antispasmodic, opioid, steroid, other solution], epidural or subarachnoid; lumbar, sacral [caudal]) or 62319 (Injection, including catheter placement, continuous infusion or intermittent bolus, not including neurolytic substances, with or without contrast [for either localization or epidurography], of diagnostic or therapeutic substance[s] [including anesthetic, antispasmodic, opioid, steroid, other solution], epidural or subarachnoid; lumbar, sacral [caudal]).

Once you determine the appropriate code, append modifier -59 (Distinct procedural service) to indicate that the post-op block is separate from the original procedure's anesthesia.