ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

Question: A patient reports to the ED after falling from a ladder. She is complaining of pain in her right wrist/hand, which is swollen and red. The physician drains fluid from the wrist and injects 20 mg of Depo-Medrol into the joint. Can we report separate codes for the injection and drainage?


Connecticut Subscriber

Answer: CPT contains a single code to represent the injection and drainage. On the claim, therefore, you should report the following:

- 20605 (Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection; intermediate joint or bursa [e.g., temporomandibular, acromioclavicular, wrist, elbow or ankle, olecranon bursa]) for the injection and drainage

- 719.44 (Pain in joint; hand) to represent the patient's injury 

- E881.0 (Fall from ladder) to indicate the cause of the patient's injury

- J1020 (Injection, methylprednisolone acetate, 20 mg) for the drug supply.