November 2, 2017

Question:
My doctor documents that she does bilateral intercostal chest blocks as well as bilateral TAP blocks to the abdomen and rectus fascia when she does breast reconstruction procedures.   I want to bill for these but my plastic surgeon thinks they are not billable?

Answer:
We agree with your surgeon.  These services are performed through the same surgical exposure for postoperative pain management; therefore, the services are included in the primary procedure code for the breast reconstruction procedure and not separately billable with injection codes.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 11/02/17.