Focus On Anatomy for Greater Auricular Nerve Block Clarification
Question: I'm looking for a code for a greater auricular nerve block. My research is suggesting two codes: 64400 or 64450. Can you provide any additional clarification? AAPC Forum Participant Answer: As you’ve noted, there is conflicting information when you search this code. However, the anatomical location of the greater auricular nerve and a description of each of the codes will point you in the right direction. The greater auricular nerve is a branch of the cervical plexus. It is not an injection into a branch of the trigeminal nerve, which is a separate cranial nerve that may be reported with 64400 (Injection(s), anesthetic agent(s) and/or steroid; trigeminal nerve, each branch (ie, ophthalmic, maxillary, mandibular)), which covers the trigeminal nerve and/or each of the three (ophthalmic maxillary, and mandibular) branches as described by the procedure code. Since the greater auricular nerve is a peripheral nerve, the appropriate code is 64450 (Injection(s), anesthetic agent(s) and/or steroid; other peripheral nerve or branch). Kelly D. Dennis, MBA, ACS-AN, CANPC, CHCA, CPMA,
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