Orthopedic Coding Alert

Count each level and check for your payers' preferences.When reporting facet joint injections, make sure you know the spinal levels the orthopedic surgeon treated and also what your payers' preferences are for the number of injections that can be given. Whether for therapy or diagnosis, you should count each level and both sides. Read on for more advice on reporting these common procedures.Don't Let Intent Throw YouYou'll notice that the terms 'diagnostic' and 'therapeutic' are in facet joint injection code descriptors, as follows, but don't be too overzealous about those descriptors:64490 (Injection[s], diagnostic or therapeutic agent, paravertebral facet [zygapophyseal] joint [or nerves innervating that joint]with image guidance [fluoroscopy or CT], cervical or thoracic; single level)64491(Injection(s), diagnostic or therapeutic agent, paravertebral facet (zygapophyseal) joint (or nerves innervating that joint) with image guidance(fluoroscopy or CT), cervical or thoracic; second level (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure))64492 (Injection(s), diagnostic or [...]