Orthopedic Coding Alert
Reader Question:
Marcaine
Published on Thu Mar 01, 2001
Question: I am having difficulty getting paid for Marcaine. We use the unlisted HCPCS code of J3490 (unclassified drugs) and the payer either denies the claim or ignores the code all together. Is this the correct code to use?
New Jersey Subscriber
Answer: Injectable supplies such as Marcaine or Lidocaine, when used as local anesthetics, are generally considered incidental to the global allowance for the injection procedure. Therapeutic injectable supplies such as steroids are reimbursable through their specific J code.
Other Articles in this issue of
Orthopedic Coding Alert
- Use Modifiers -57 and -25 to Optimize Office Visits that Lead to Surger
When an orthopedist decides that a patient needs an immediate or near-immediate surgical procedure, coders [...] - Use Proper Documentation to Ensure Payment for Arthroscopic SLAP Repairs
Orthopedic coders often express frustration with coding for arthroscopic superior labrum anterior/posterior repairs, commonly known [...] - News Brief:
HCFA Temporarily Suspends Part of CCI Version 6.3
HCFA has temporarily suspended many of the edits in version 6.3 of the national Correct [...] - Letter Helps SLAP
The following letter to carriers describing the SLAP lesion repair and asking for reimbursement is [...] - You Be the Coder:
Total Knee Replacement
Question: My surgeon is scheduling more bilateral total knee replacements (TKR), and we have a [...] - Reader Question:
Multiple Injuries
Question: I treated a patient for the following:
1. Fracture care of left hand original [...] - Reader Question:
Physiatrist
Question: My practice just hired a physiatrist and Im at a loss as how to [...] - Reader Question:
Distal Tubercle Transfer
Question: One of our physicians performed a distal tubercle transfer medially (Elmslie-Trillat procedure) and an [...] - Reader Question:
Biopsy
Question: I am having trouble getting paid when a biopsy is done in the same [...] - Reader Question:
Hemi-arthroplasty
Question: The patient underwent a hemi-arthroplasty for a fractured hip. He returned to the nursing [...] - Reader Question:
Removal of Exostosis
Question: How do I code for removal of exostosis on the hip?
Utah Subscriber
Answer: [...] - Reader Question:
Assistant Surgeon Fees
Question: When billing for assistant surgeons fees, should I charge full price for the assistant, [...] - Reader Question:
Marcaine
Question: I am having difficulty getting paid for Marcaine. We use the unlisted HCPCS code [...] - Reader Question:
HCFA Scrutinizes 99214
Question: I have heard that Medicare is taking a closer look at claims for 99214. [...]
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