Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

The February 2005 issue of Neurology Coding Alert contained an error.

The answer to the reader question "Call on Destruction Code for Hemiparesis Treatment" recommends 64640 (Destruction by neurolytic agent; other peripheral nerve or branch) to report this service.

In fact, because the question specifically asks, "What is the proper code for injecting different forearm muscles (one arm only) to treat spastic hemiparesis?," the appropriate code is 64614 (Chemodenervation of muscle[s]; extremity[s] and/or trunk muscle[s] [e.g., for dystonia, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis]). This code is appropriate for injections to any extremity.

The editors of Neurology Coding Alert offer special thanks to sharp-eyed reader Steve Long, business manager of the Neurology Center in Silver Spring, Md., for pointing out this error.