Advanced Search

Primary Care Coding Alert

You Be the Coder:

SI Joint Area: Hunt for the Correct Injection Code

Published on Fri Jun 04, 2010

Question: FP dictates, "Injection (L) sacroiliac joint, depo medrol 80mg, lidocane 4 ml, marcaine 1 ml" and diagnosis sacroiliitis. Notes indicate "SI joint area". When I asked the physician, he said it isn't really a muscle or directly in the joint. What procedure code should I use?Codify MemberAnswer: Your FP is not describing a trigger point injection or a sacroiliac (SI) joint injection, because he's not injecting the muscle or the joint. If he's injecting the tendon sheath or ligament, look at 20550 (Injection[s]; single tendon sheath, or ligament, aponeurosis [e.g., plantar "fascia"]). For an injection into the tendon origin, use 20551 (... single tendon origin/insertion). The National Medicare Database lists 720.2 (Sacroiliitis, not elsewhere classified) as a code that is frequently linked to 20550 and 20551.Warning: Be skeptical about reporting a true SI joint injection, which falls under (27096, Injection procedure for sacroiliac joint, arthrography and/or anesthetic/steroid). You should [...]
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in your eNewsletter
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs*
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more
*CEUs available with select eNewsletters.

Other Articles in this issue of

Primary Care Coding Alert

View All