READER QUESTIONS:
Distinguish Pain Killing Agents in Plantar Injections
Published on Sat Nov 21, 2009
Question: Our clinic has a number of patients seeking treatment for pain in the sole of the foot. As a result, our physician administers a lot of steroid injections and njections of anesthetic. How should I code these? Is there any critical information that I need to know when reporting these procedures? North Carolina Subscriber Answer: Use 64455 (Injection[s], anesthetic agent and/or steroid, plantar common digital nerve[s] [e.g., Morton's neuroma]). You should also use the proper J code to indicate the type of steroid injection with 64455. Podiatrists often administer steroid and anesthetic injections on the foot to treat Morton's neuroma, a frequently occurring injury of the forefoot that affects the third web space of the toes. During the procedure, the podiatrist injects either an anesthetic agent or a steroid into the planter common digital nerve from the dorsal direction. Watch out: CPT introduced 64455 in 2009. Make sure you [...]