Advanced Search

ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

READER QUESTIONS:

Digital Blocks Can Be Separate

Published on Wed May 04, 2005

Question: Can we ever bill separately for a digital block? If so, when?


Arkansas Subscriber
Answer: Physicians perform digital blocks solely for pain control, and you should not associate these services with suturing or other procedures that are separately billable.

But if the physician administers the digital block without performing any other procedures or services, you can bill for it.

For instance, suppose a patient presents to the emergency department after accidentally crushing her finger in a car door. In this case, the ED physician might perform a digital block for the injury to the finger, but perform no other procedures. For this treatment, you would appropriately report a digital block with code 64450 (Injection, anesthetic agent; other peripheral nerve or branch).
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 your eNewsletter
  • 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
*CEUs available with select eNewsletters.

Other Articles in this issue of

ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

View All