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Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

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Injections With Electromyographies

Published on Tue Mar 04, 2008

Question: Our neurologist performed a unilateral needle electromyography on three extremities for a patient with multiple sclerosis. During the procedure, he also injected steroids in the facet joint nerve of one thoracic level. Can we report codes for the procedure and the injection, or are they bundled? Missouri Subscriber Answer: Thanks to a change in the Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) edits, you can report both codes on the claim. You have been able to report facet joint injections separately from electromyographies since January 2006. This was possible after the CCI unbundled the two services. (Previously, the injection was bundled into the electromyography.) Include three codes on your claim: - 95863 (Needle electromyography; three extremities with or without related paraspinal areas) for the electromyography - 64470 (Injection, anesthetic agent and/or steroid, paravertebral facet joint or facet joint nerve; cervical or thoracic, single level) for the injection. - Diagnosis 340 (Multiple sclerosis) with 95863 and 64470 to prove medical necessity for both procedures.
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