Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: My physician would like to administer an abdominal field block just below the sternum following hiatal hernia repair. The block would be to treat acute postoperative pain. Which CPT^® code should I use for this?

New York Subscriber

Answer: Your best option will be among the codes for transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks:

• 64486 (Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block (abdominal plane block, rectus sheath block) unilateral; by injection(s) (includes imaging guidance, when performed))
• 64487 (… by continuous infusion(s) (includes imaging guidance, when performed))
• 64488 (… by injections (includes imaging guidance, when performed))
• 64489 (Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block (abdominal plane block, rectus sheath block) bilateral; by continuous infusions (includes imaging guidance, when performed))

Check the procedure note to determine which of these codes is most accurate based on the injection site and type of administration.