Radiology Coding Alert

Question: What codes should I report when the radiologist performs a hypogastric nerve block with Bupivacaine at the same session as a uterine fibroid embolization (UFE)?

Virginia Subscriber

Answer: You should report 64517 (Injection, anesthetic agent; superior hypogastric plexus) for the block in addition to UFE code 37210 (Uterine fibroid embolization [UFE, embolization of the uterine arteries to treat uterine fibroids, leiomyomata], percutaneous approach inclusive of vascular access, vessel selection, embolization, and all radiological supervision and interpretation, intraprocedural roadmapping, and imaging guidance necessary to complete the procedure).

The radiologist may administer the block to help manage pelvic region pain.

-- The answers for You Be the Coder and Reader Questions were reviewed by Jackie Miller, RHIA, CPC, senior consultant with Coding Strategies Inc. in Powder Springs, Ga.