Advanced Search

Anesthesia Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Use Ganglion Code for Dorsal Root Injection

Published on Sat Mar 01, 2003

Question: How should I code for a dorsal root ganglion injection? The doctor says that it's not a trigger point injection, and I don't know how else to code it. South Carolina Subscriber Answer: There really is not a good code for a dorsal root ganglion, which means coders are apt to report it different ways. The dorsal root is very close to the tranforaminal area of the spine, so you could use transforaminal epidural codes. These include 64479 (Injection, anesthetic agent and/or steroid, transforaminal epidural; cervical or thoracic, single level) and +64480 ( cervical or thoracic, each additional level [list separately in addition to code for primary procedure]) or 64483 ( lumbar or sacral, single level) and +64484 ( lumbar or sacral, each additional level [list separately in addition to code for primary procedure]).                  

 Another option is to code according to the injection location with 64505* (Injection, anesthetic agent; sphenopalatine ganglion) or 64510* ( stellate ganglion [cervical sympathetic]). If the injection location is not noted on the report, use 64450* (Injection, anesthetic agent; other peripheral nerve or branch).                        

 With any codes reported, append modifier -22 (Unusual procedural services) and include documentation explaining the procedure.  
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