Coding Clinic for HCPCS - Fourth Quarter 2002 Page: 8
Question
Following treatment for impingement syndrome of the right shoulder, a Zimmer pain pump catheter was placed into the shoulder for postoperative pain management. According to the operative report, the Zimmer pump catheter was placed into the shoulder and the muscle fascia was closed with a double layer suture.
What would be the appropriate code for the placement of the Zimmer pain pump?
Answer
The Zimmer pain pump is utilized for the infusion of local anesthetic directly into the surgical site for pain control. In this specific case, the Zimmer pain pump would be included in the procedure performed on the shoulder, and is not reported separately.