20604

CPT^® 20604, Under General Introduction or Removal Procedures on the Musculoskeletal System

The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT^®) code 20604 as maintained by American Medical Association, is a medical procedural code under the range - General Introduction or Removal Procedures on the Musculoskeletal System.

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Summary

In this procedure, the provider inserts a needle through the skin of a patient and into a small joint or bursa, typically the fingers or toes, and then uses the syringe attachment to the needle to remove fluid or he may inject a drug into the joint for therapeutic purpose. The provider also uses ultrasound guidance with permanent recording and reporting to perform this service. Arthrocentesis relieves pain and swelling but is also a diagnostic aid, allowing the provider to examine the fluid in the joint, called synovial fluid, for the presence of infection or inflammation.

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Have a question about CPT Code 20604 ? Start a discussion here

How To Code Multiple Bursa/Joint Injections

I would check the NCCI MUE/MAI table. I believe there is a max of 4 units reportable per DOS for 20604. Also, depending on the injectate you’re using and indication(s) for the injections, be sure to... [ Read More ]

How To Code Multiple Bursa/Joint Injections

Hello All, I work for a pain management practice and have a question regarding the appropriate way to bill multiple joint injections of same size. ie... Patient had 7 toes in total injected, [B]2 on ... [ Read More ]

Lumbar interspinous bursa injection

Thanks, I agree that a joint/bursa code makes sense based on the codes' descriptors. You will need to ask the doctor to determine whether 20604 (minor), 20606 (intermediate) or 20611 (major) is approp... [ Read More ]

76882 AND 20604

My doctors bill these two codes alot together. I was do some research on these codes and i read as long as they have different dx codes and modifier 59 they should be paid separately. I am still getti... [ Read More ]

76882-20604

I started working at a podiatry office and i am having problems w code 76882 being billed with 20604. I read that they should have two different dx code and a 59 modifier and they should be paid separ... [ Read More ]

Help please what term to look for when coding injection/medications

So you weren't terribly far off, I just wanted to see how you were doing. In the index in the back, for any body part that has a joint, go to INJECTION, then JOINT. If you go to KNEE, you're not goi... [ Read More ]

Injection to 1st,2nd,3rd metatarsal cuneiform joints

[b]Another thought[/b] Hello. Based on a CPT Assistant from August 2017, I'm thinking a TMT injection would code out as does a CMC injection, 20600 (20604 w/ ultrasound) CPT Assistant, August 20... [ Read More ]

Looking for guidance on co-worker matter

[b]Same boat here sometimes, directed to do things by people that aren't coders[/b] I agree that 20610/20611 can be billed once for each MAJOR joint injected (Major joints being the shoulder, hip, kn... [ Read More ]

20610 (Superior and Inferior SI joint injections)

You are correct, it is per joint. Per Encoder: These codes should be reported only once even if an aspiration and injection are performed during the same session. Local anesthesia is included in t... [ Read More ]

Sacrococcygeal joint injection

My Provider did a coccyx joint injection and I can not find the correct CPT code. The Dx code is M53.3 (sacrococcygeal disorder) He coded 20604 and I can not bill that code with the diagnosis code M53... [ Read More ]

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