Eli's Rehab Report

READER QUESTIONS:

Track Infraorbital Nerve Back to Trigeminal

Question: Which CPT codes should I use for infraorbital nerve block and auriculotemporal nerve block?


Massachusetts Subscriber


Answer: You should report these blocks using CPT 64400 (Injection, anesthetic agent; trigeminal nerve, any division or branch). Both of these nerves are branches of the trigeminal nerve. The trigeminal nerve has three main divisions. The infraorbital nerve comes off the V2 division (maxillary nerve) while the auriculotemporal nerve is a branch off the V3 division (mandibular nerve).

Note: If your physiatrist performs a destruction, you'll report 64600 (Destruction by neurolytic agent, trigeminal nerve; supraorbital, infraorbital, mental, or inferior alveolar branch). According to the CPT parenthetical note, the destruction codes 64600-64681 include the injection of other therapeutic agents (such as, corticosteroids).