Advanced Search

Orthopedic Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Marcaine Payment

Published on Tue Jan 01, 2002

Question: I am having difficulty getting paid for Marcaine. We use the unlisted HCPCS code J3490 (unclassified drugs) and the insurance either denies the claim or ignores the code. 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 (i.e., 90782, therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic injection [specify material injected]; subcutaneous or intramuscular). Therapeutic injectable supplies such as steroids are reimbursable through their specific J code.
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in your eNewsletter
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs*
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more
*CEUs available with select eNewsletters.

Other Articles in this issue of

Orthopedic Coding Alert

View All