Use 96450 for Nusinersen Administration
Question: A patient with spinal fusion presented for an intrathecal injection of nusinersen. The procedure note states that intermittent CT guidance was used to anesthetize the injection area as well as to advance the 20-gauge needle into the intrathecal space. The physician injected 12 mg/5 mL of nusinersen over two to three minutes. What procedure codes will I assign for the encounter? New Mexico Subscriber Answer: Assign 96450 (Chemotherapy administration, into CNS (eg, intrathecal), requiring and including spinal puncture) to report the nusinersen administration. Even though 96450’s descriptor specifies chemotherapy administration, the medication is injected into the intrathecal space. According to a March 2021 issue of CPT® Assistant, nusinersen administration “would be correctly reported with code 96450.” You’ll then use 77012 (Computed tomography guidance for needle placement (eg, biopsy, aspiration, injection, localization device), radiological supervision and interpretation) to report the CT image guidance. Mike Shaughnessy, BA, CPC, Production Editor, AAPC
