Orthopedic Coding Alert
Lidocaine for Peroneal Sural Nerve Block
Question: Our orthopedist documented a left peroneal sural nerve block. He indicates that he used lidocaine for temporary relief of the patient's pain. Which CPT code should I use to report this? Pennsylvania Subscriber Answer: Code the injection using 64450* (Injection, anesthetic agent; other peripheral nerve or branch), but do not bill separately for the lidocaine (J2000). Medicare will not accept claims for this drug when billed with any ICD-9 code other than those related to cardiac arrhythmias and emergencies. For example, Georgia Medicare's policy for lidocaine states, "The dosage indicated by the code description is specific to the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias and emergencies only. The billing of J2000 is not appropriate for the 1-2 cc usually required for a local anesthetic."
Orthopedic Coding Alert
- CCI Bundles Anesthesia,Injection Codes Into Orthopedic Procedures
" Version 8.2 of the national Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) took effect on July [...] - Beat the OIGto the Punch:
Benchmark Against CMS
Because U.S. Office of Inspector General (OIG) investigators review code utilization data also called "benchmarking" [...] - You Be the Coder:
Thumb Arthroplasty
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the [...] - Compare Apples to Apples
Comparing your code use with CMS' statistics may not be completely accurate because the CMS [...] - Modifier of the Month:
Modifier -59 Versus -51: The Great Debate
Modifiers -59 (Distinct procedural service) and -51 (Multiple procedures) have similar applications: to show the [...] - News Brief:
CMS Announces New Hyalgan Code
On June 11, CMS released program memorandum AB-02-082, introducing a new code for sodium hyaluronate, [...] - Reader Question:
Synvisc for Shoulders
Question: Is there any way that Medicare will reimburse us for a shoulder injection using [...] - Reader Question:
Disability Evaluation
Question: In your July issue, you recommended using 99080 (Special reports such as insurance forms, [...] - Reader Question:
Referred Patients
Question: I work for an orthopedist who does not use any new patient CPT codes. [...] - Reader Question:
Sciatic Nerve Exploration
Question: Is there a CPT code to denote exploration of the sciatic nerve with release [...] - Reader Question:
Lidocaine for Peroneal Sural Nerve Block
Question: Our orthopedist documented a left peroneal sural nerve block. He indicates that he used [...] - Reader Question:
CTR With Flexor Tenosynovectomy
Question: One of our surgeons performed a carpal tunnel release and, as a separate procedure, [...]
