Anesthesia Coding Alert
Anesthesia for 64640 Should Be 01991
Question: I have a CRNA who provides MAC anesthesia for pain procedures. He has had a couple of patients who have had a Genicular ablation; what anesthesia code is best to use for this?
Arizona Subscriber
Answer: Genicular nerve radiofrequency (RF) ablation is typically coded as 64640 (Destruction by neurolytic agent; other peripheral nerve or branch). If the provider completes the procedure pulsed RF, then the correct code is 64999
(Unlisted procedure, nervous system). When you’re reporting the associated anesthesia, the crosswalk for 64640 is 01991 (Anesthesia for diagnostic or therapeutic nerve blocks and injections [when block or injection is performed by a different physician or other qualified health care professional]; other than the prone position).
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