September 16, 2021 Question: A patient with multiple sclerosis came into our pain clinic with spasms to the left and right upper arms. The physician injected the following muscles using EMG guidance; Right upper limb; right biceps, pronator teres, brachioradialis, first dorsal interosseous, and extensor carpi ulnaris and left upper limb, right biceps and brachioradialis....
September 2, 2021 Question: My doctor did a regional thoracic nerve block. He performed three injections at three intercostals levels. How do I code that? Answer: You would report 64420 (Injection, agent (s) and /or steroid, intercostal nerve, single level) and 64421 x 2 for the two additional level. Each additional level is reported with...
August 19, 2021 Question: One of my pain management physicians performed a trigger point into the 1 muscle and the documentation says dry needle technique. Do I code this using CPT code 20552? Answer: No, you would not report 20550 for dry needling. Prior to 2020, the service would be reported with the unlisted code...
August 5, 2021 Question: What CPT code would you use for “anesthetic and steroid injection of the left posterior superior iliac spine? Answer: You would report the injection with CPT code 20552. *This response is based on the best information available as of 08/05/21
July 22, 2021 Question: I am trying to find a CPT code for an Epidural Adhesiolysis. Can you tell what codes I should use? Answer: It depends on the method. You should use CPT codes 62263 or 62264 for a percutaneous lysis of epidural adhesions which is performed using a percutaneously deployed catheter. If the...
July 8, 2021 Question: We have been using codes 0228T/0229T for epidurals (cervical or thoracic) and 0230T/0231T for lumbar epidurals using ultrasound guidance. In the past we have been paid for these codes. Now every time I submit a claim with these codes, I get denials. Am I using the right codes? Answer: These codes...
June 24, 2021 Question: I am confused about the Data component for the new office visit guidelines. Many of my new patients will bring in their x-rays or CT reports when referred for pain management. What do I get credit for when a patient brings in an x-ray or CT report I review? Answer: Good...
June 10, 2021 Question: Which CPT code is used 20550 or 20551 for a trigger finger /A1 pulley injection? Answer: CPT code 20550 defines an injection to a single tendon sheath, or ligament, aponeurosis (eg, plantar “fascia”). CPT code 20551 defines an injection to single tendon at the origin/insertion site. Trigger finger injections are most...
May 27, 2021 Question: My doctors are providing telehealth office visits using audio only. They have told me it is okay to use E/M codes 99202-99215 for telephone visits. I was reading the temporary guidelines for Telehealth during the PHE and cannot verify these are the right codes. Can you help? Answer: When the telehealth...
May 13, 2021 Question: We have been providing Telehealth visits using audio and visual means to many of our patients during the Covid-19 pandemic. Can we bill telehealth visits by time alone? Answer: For Medicare claims, telehealth visits can now be billed according to medical decision-making (MDM) or time, so yes, as long as the...
