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Anesthesia Coding Alert

READER QUESTIONS:

Code With 64420 or 64421 for Post-Op Paravertebral Block

Published on Tue Feb 08, 2005

Question: Which code should I report for paravertebral blocks used for post operative pain relief following breast surgery?

New Mexico Subscriber Answer: Because paravertebral blocks are for the spinal area and you're coding for pain relief following breast surgery, your best bet is to rely on a different group of codes. Intercostal nerve blocks address the correct anatomic area of pain following breast surgery.

Report the post-op care with 64420 (Injection, anesthetic agent; intercostal nerve, single) or 64421 (... intercostal nerves, multiple, regional block), depending on the number of injections administered. Answers to You Be the Coder and Reader Questions were provided by Eileen Lorenco, RHIT, CS, CPC, coder with Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Mass.
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