Neurosurgery Coding Alert
Insurers May Balk at Paying Multiple Units of 77002
Question: When we perform multiple injections at the same time, can we report 77002 (76003 in CPT 2006) more than once? Colorado Subscriber Answer: Technically, you should be able to report new code 77002 more than once for each separate service, but your payer may have another opinion. Technical and coding guidance for You Be the Coder and Reader Questions provided by Gregory Przybylski, MD, director of neurosurgery at the New Jersey Neuroscience Institute, JFK Medical Center in Edison.
The descriptor for 77002 (Fluoroscopic guidance for needle placement [e.g., biopsy, aspiration, injection, localization device]) says, "guidance for needle placement" in the singular. The descriptor also does not have a specific time range like some other fluoroscopic codes, so time is not a factor.
Fluoroscopic guidance is bundled into numerous services though, so check National Correct Coding Initiative edits before you code.
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