Wiki Radiofrequency Denervation and Facet Joint Injections

[bethh05]

I have a question for all you pain management guru's. There was and article in The Coding Edge from December 08 that stated the nerve blocks are per level ie; nerve blocks for C2, C3, and C4 is addressing three nerves but only two levels. When it comes to Radiofrequency do we use the same protocol? The physician performs radiofrequency facet denervation to the left L3, L4,
L5, S1 and ascending accessory nerves, how many levels would be reported in this scenario? Thank You very much!!

 

[RebeccaWoodward*]

64622-64627 refer to individual nerve level destruction. You count the actual number of nerves the physician injects. One level equals one nerve for 64622-64627. In your case..."The physician performs radiofrequency facet denervation to the left L3, L4, L5, S1 and ascending accessory nerves" equals:

64622 (L3)
64623 x 3 (L4, L5, S1)

 

[brockorama01]

As a pain management coder junkie, bethh05 is right on.

This issue comes up every year among pain specialists.