Pulmonology Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

20552: Watch Medication Amounts for Rib TPI

Published on Wed Sep 22, 2010

Question: My pulmonologist injected Xylocaine and Solu-Medrol into a patient's rib cage. How should I code this procedure?

Illinois Subscriber

Answer: Simple report 20605 (Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection; intermediate joint or bursa [e.g., temporomandibular, acromioclavicular, wrist, elbow or ankle, olecranon bursa]). Then bill J2001 (Injection, lidocaine HCl for intravenous infusion, 10 mg) for every 10 mg of Xylocaine injected. The correct code for Solu-Medrol depends on the injection amount; report J2920 (Injection, methylprednisolone socium succinate, up to 40 mg) or J2930 (Injection, methylprednisolone sodium succinate, up to 125 mg) as appropriate.

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