Anesthesia Coding Alert

READER QUESTIONS:

Think of Interscalene Block as Brachial Plexus

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.
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in Revenue Cycle Insider
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more

Other Articles in this issue of

Anesthesia Coding Alert

View All