Podiatry Coding & Billing Alert

Question: What are the proper codes for a sclerosing injection for the treatment of Morton's neuroma in the right foot?

Nevada Subscriber

Answer: While a neuroma is clinically a benign tumor, you won't find Morton's neuroma listed in the neoplasm codes. It is not an actual neurom a but an inflamed digital nerve in the foot. For the Morton's neuroma, select diagnosis code 355.6 (Mononeuritis of lower limb and unspecified site; lesion of plantar nerve).

For the injection, choose CPT® code 64632 (Destruction by neurolytic agent; plantar common digital nerve) with modifier RT (Right side) to specify which foot the podiatrist treated. There is some controversy about this, but according to experts, 64632 appears to be the most appropriate code.

With an injection, you must document the reason for the injection (therapeutic), the injection site (right foot), the substance that you inject (in this case, possibly alcohol) and the amount injected.

Do not select code 36470 (Injection of sclerosing solution; single vein). Sclerotheraphy is the destruction of veins, which is not the procedure being performed.