Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Locating Epidural Catheter

Question: What is the appropriate way to code for the verification of the location of the tip of an epidural catheter that has been placed in the patients epidural space? Con-trast or dye is injected to locate the tip and the procedure I just described has been referred to as an epidurogram. I cant find a CPT code that is described as an epidurogram.

Anonymous Vermont Subscriber

Answer: There is no code specifically for an epidurogram. But because an epidurogram consists of injecting dye through an epidural catheter, neurologists should use 62289 (injection of substance other than anesthetic, antispasmodic, contrast, or neurolytic solutions; lumbar or caudal epidural [separate procedure]). This code is for injections of fluid into the spine, specifically the lumbar or caudal epidural space.