Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: What is the best CPT code for an inter-scalene nerve block?


California Subscriber

Answer: Some coders report 64450 (Injection anesthetic agent; other peripheral nerve or branch) for an interscalene block but this isn't your best choice.

The interscalene block is one approach for a brachial plexus nerve block. Your best choices therefore are 64415 (brachial plexus single) and 64416 (brachial plexus continuous infusion by catheter [including catheter placement] including daily management for anesthetic agent administration).

Remember: If your physician uses the interscalene block as the primary anesthetic technique during a procedure you should bill the procedural anesthesia not the interscalene block. If the physician administers the block as a pain management procedure or if he administers it to treat postoperative pain you can bill it separately.