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Anesthesia Coding Alert

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All Occipital Nerve Blocks Aren't the Same

Published on Sat Jan 28, 2006

Question: I was told to report the same code for either greater or lesser occipital nerve block injections. Is this correct?


Colorado Subscriber


Answer: No, you should not report the same code for both types of blocks. Report a greater occipital nerve block with 64405 (Injection, anesthetic agent; greater occipital nerve).

CPT Codes does not include a code specifically for injection of the lesser occipital nerve, so submit CPT 64450 (-other peripheral nerve or branch) for those procedures.

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