Eli's Rehab Report
'Pyriformis' Is the Same as 'Piriformis'
Question: Which diagnosis code should I use for piriformis syndrome? I've been using a sciatic nerve diagnosis.
Michigan Subscriber
Answer: The diagnosis for piriformis syndrome is 355.0 (Lesion of sciatic nerve). You can find this code in Volume 2 (Alphabetic Index) of the ICD-9-CM book: Look under Syndrome and then Pyriformis (using the old spelling of this muscle).
Keep in mind that using this diagnosis code for a trigger point injection will not create the necessary medical necessity to allow payment from some payers.
Frequently, physicians include in their documentation the supporting information (palpable tight ropy band of muscle, trigger point, etc.) also to use 729.1 (Myalgia and myositis, unspecified). Code 729.1 does support medical necessity for most Medicare carriers.
Eli's Rehab Report
- Assign Your EMG Code by Number of Muscles And Test Location
Even if the EMG tests more than five muscles in one extremity, use 95860 If [...] - Use 95870 for Fewer Than 5 Muscles in EMG
Report one unit of 95869 regardless of number of levels If a physician tests fewer [...] - You Be the Coder:
'Pyriformis' Is the Same as 'Piriformis'
Question: Which diagnosis code should I use for piriformis syndrome? I've been using a sciatic [...] - A4644-A4646 Got You Doing a Double Take?
Medicare creates A9525 instead, then cancels it If you're confused about which low osmolar contrast [...] - Learn 4 Tactics for EMGs With No New Diagnosis
Submitting raw data that proves medical necessity may be key If your physician didn't find [...] - Reader Questions:
Don't Overlook Parenthetical Notes
Question: Is it appropriate to use modifier -50 for bilateral facet joint injections (64470-64476)? If [...] - Reader Questions:
Check Out Codes for Tensilon Testing
Question: What is the appropriate code(s) for tensilon testing?
South Carolina Subscriber
Answer: Look to CPT [...] - Reader Questions:
How to Interpret '1 Injection per Session'
Question: My Mississippi Cahaba LMRP for chemo-denervation codes state that they allow one injection per [...] - Reader Questions:
Choose From 95925-95927 for SSEP
Question: Which codes should I use for SSEP?
Kansas Subscriber
Answer: SSEP, or short-latency somatosensory evoked [...] - Reader Questions:
Coding Conduction Study After Nerves Tested
Question: When a physician tests four nerves bilaterally, how should I code the nerve conduction [...]
