Advanced Search

Anesthesia Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Auriculotemporal Nerve Block = 64450 or 64640

Published on Tue May 17, 2005

Question: How should I code an auriculotemporal nerve block?


South Carolina Subscriber


Answer: If the physician blocks the nerve, report CPT 64450 (Injection, anesthetic agent; other peripheral nerve or branch); append modifier -50 (Bilateral procedure) if he performs a bilateral block. If he performs a destruction instead, submit 64640 (Destruction by neurolytic agent; other peripheral nerve or branch).

Physicians administer auriculotemporal nerve blocks to diagnose or treat painful conditions such as post-traumatic neuralgia, acute herpes zoster, and pain secondary to malignancy. They may also use it to provide surgical anesthesia during some types of lesion removal and laceration repair.
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in your eNewsletter
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs*
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more
*CEUs available with select eNewsletters.

Other Articles in this issue of

Anesthesia Coding Alert

View All