Anesthesia Coding Alert

You Be the Coder:

Which Code Is for Pars Interarticularis Injection?

Question: Which codes apply to a pars interarticularis defect facet injection? The physician did not specify the level.

Oklahoma Subscriber

Answer: Physician Coder perform facet joint injections to relieve or control pain believed to be from a pars interarticularis defect. You must know the injection level before coding the procedure, so ask the physician for more details. Then report a code from the 64470-64476 series (Injection, anesthetic agent and/or steroid, paravertebral facet joint or facet joint nerve), depending on the level.
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