Podiatry Coding & Billing Alert

Keep these 4 tips in mind for successful claims every time. CPT 2009 introduced two new codes for plantar common digital nerve procedures, giving you better choices than the "other nerve" options you previously resorted to. Now that you have more specific codes in your arsenal, however, be sure you know their ins and outs for success. 1. Learn Your Options -- and What They Replace The new codes represent very different services -- nerve destruction versus nerve injection -- but you could find yourself repeatedly relying on both: • 64455 -- Injection(s), anesthetic agent and/or steroid, plantar common digital nerve(s) (e.g., Morton's neuroma) • 64632 -- Destruction by neurolytic agent; plantar common digital nerve. Your previous choices in these situations were 64450 (Injection, anesthetic agent; other peripheral nerve or branch) and 64640 (Destruction by neurolytic agent; other peripheral nerve or branch). The new codes pay less than 64450 or 64640, but are important because [...]