Wiki trigger point code

[Intent]

I have a coding question about injections into the ligaments and tendons of the knee. The doctor states trigger point injections were done into the MCL, PCL, and suprapatellar tendons bilaterally. im confused on which code to use for this.. I know it would either be 20550 or 20551 but would I bill multiple units per knee since these codes are for a single tendon/ligament? thank you!

 

[mesiddiqi61]

20550 defines an injection to the tendon sheath; 20551 defines an injection to the origin/insertion site of a tendon. Ideally, the surgeon should document the injection as administered to the tendon sheath or to the origin/insertion site of the tendon. You would use your modifier for bilateral.

 

[Intent]

one code?

so I would code it 20550 with a 50 modifier? I thought because it was multiple different tendons and 20550 is for a single tendon I would do multiple per side? thanks