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Anesthesia Coding Alert

READER QUESTIONS:

Select TPI Code Based on Numbers

Published on Sun Aug 21, 2005

Question: How would I code a visit that included a trigger point injection and epidurography?


Michigan Subscriber
Answer: Report the trigger point injection with either 20552 (Injection[s]; single or multiple trigger point[s], one or two muscle[s]) or 20553 (... single or multiple trigger point[s], three or more muscles). You'll choose the code that corresponds to the number of muscles injected.
 
The code for epidurography is 72275 (Epidurography, radiological supervision and interpretation). However, CPT also includes a note about this code: "Use 72275 only when an epidurogram is performed, images documented, and a formal radiological report is issued." Review your provider's documentation to verify that it meets these criteria. If it doesn't, many coders report 76005 (Fluoroscopic guidance and localization of needle or catheter tip for spine or paraspinous diagnostic or therapeutic injection procedures [epidural, transforaminal epidural, subarachnoid, paravertebral facet joint, paravertebral facet joint nerve or sacroiliac joint], including neurolytic agent destruction) instead.
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