Orthopedic Coding Alert

Question: If the surgeon gives 2 injections into the (same) knee in two separate locations, one along the patellar tendon and the other along the superior aspect of the patella, can code 20610 be reported twice? If so, what is the appropriate modifier?

New York Subscriber

Answer: As this might not be a joint injection and is instead nerve blocks for pain associated with osteoarthritis, you need to provide more information in order to answer this question.

Note: Code 20610 (Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection; major joint or bursa [eg, shoulder, hip, knee, subacromial bursa], without ultrasound guidance) is not reported twice or with a modifier in this potential situation as both the injections are in the same knee and given one after another.