Radiology Coding Alert
Remember to Report Imaging Guidance With 64640
Question: I have a report showing the physician performed neurolysis of the tibial nerve with ultrasonic guidance. How do I report this encounter? Minnesota Subscriber Answer: Assign 64640 (Destruction by neurolytic agent; other peripheral nerve or branch) to report the tibial nerve neurolysis. You’ll also assign 76942 (Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement (eg, biopsy, aspiration, injection, localization device), imaging supervision and interpretation) to report the imaging guidance. Providers perform neurolysis to destroy nerves carrying pain information. This procedure requires chemical, heat, or radiofrequency destruction techniques. A physician uses image guidance to view the nerves and identify the correct nerve to perform the procedure on. According to CPT® Assistant, Volume 33, Issue 12, you will report 76942 “because imaging is not inherent to the procedure described or included in code 64640.”
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