Anesthesia Coding Alert
Select TPI Code Based on Numbers
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.
Anesthesia Coding Alert
- E/M Coding Focus:
Rely on These 4 Criteria to Correctly Report 99211 Cases
Watch out: Use this code as a catch-all and prepare to see your reimbursement-and compliance-plummet
The [...] - Self-Check:
Test Your 00211 Knowledge With These Real-Life Scenarios
Do refills and follow-ups count?
Anesthesia and pain management practitioners don't perform E/M services as frequently [...] - Extra Service Advantage:
Report Doppler Separate From TEE Placement
Don't miss extra reimbursement if you meet criteria
Focusing your energy on coding TEE probe placements [...] - You Be the Coder:
Determine Groshong Removal Code
Question: What is the correct code for removal of a Groshong catheter?
New Jersey Subscriber
[...] - Diagnosis Details:
Use Your Carrier's Policy to Demystify TEE Justification
Hint: You need to include these detailed diagnosis codes
The next time you find yourself coding for [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Code 01967 for Transferred Labor Patient
Question: Our anesthesiologist began an epidural for a labor patient and periodically monitored her for [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Think Before Appending AA to All Claims
Question: Is it appropriate to append modifier AA to all claims for services the anesthesiologist [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Rely on 01967 for Some C-Sections
Question: The anesthesiologist saw a patient for cesarean section due to failure to progress. The [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Verify Bier Block's Purpose
Question: The anesthesiologist administered a Bier block during a carpel tunnel release. Do we report [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Check for This Resident Ratio
Question: What guidelines exist regarding the ratio of teaching anesthesiologists to residents in a teaching [...] - NCCI Edit Update:
Be Careful: The Rules for Reporting Injections Have Changed
These common pain management procedures now include 3 popular G codes
The National Correct Coding Initiative [...] - Details Count:
Steer Clear of These Traps When You're Reporting SI Joint Radiofrequency
Hint: Location is key when determining correct codes
"Performed radiofrequency (RF) to the patient's sacroiliac joint" [...] - You Be the Coder:
Coding Lumbar Plexus Injection-Not Infusion
Question: How do I bill a single lumbar plexus injection instead of continuous infusion? - Pain Management Tip:
Balance Your Numbers of Diskograms and Interpretations
Don't let unequal reporting cost you reimbursement
The use of diskograms versus MRI scans and other [...] - Terminology Tip:
Be Clear on 'Diskography' vs 'Diskogram'
Some people use the words "diskogram" and "diskography" interchangeably, but the terms actually represent different [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Double-Check Notes for Multi-Injection Encounter
Question: Our pain physician performed a lumbar epidural steroid injection (LESI) and SI joint injection [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Select TPI Code Based on Numbers
Question: How would I code a visit that included a trigger point injection and epidurography? [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Report TPI Codes for Piriformis Injection
Question: Our physician injected the patient's piriformis muscle because it was in a spasm and [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Submit V58.89 as Post-op Diagnosis
Question: Several carriers deny our claims for brachial plexus blocks or other peripheral nerve injections [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Treat Pars Defect Injection as Facet Joint
Question: What code do I use for a pars defect injection (L5) under fluoroscopy? The [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Confirm Spinal Block Location for Fluoro Code
Question: Can I report fluoroscopy in conjunction with pain management blocks? If so, what code [...]
