Pain Management Coding Alert
Reader Question:
64640 Covers Rhizotomy of Greater Occipital Nerve
Published on Mon Nov 03, 2014 
PDF
PDF
Question: Our provider documented “therapeutic greater occipital nerve rhizotomy on the left and on the right.” He used radiofrequency and stated that “a lesion was carried out.” What is the correct code for this?
Virginia Subscriber
Answer: You should report 64640 (Destruction by neurolytic agent; other peripheral nerve or branch) for greater occipital nerve rhizotomy. Because your provider performed the procedure on both the right and left sides, you can bill the code bilaterally. Depending upon the payer, report the destruction as one of the following:
Other Articles in this issue of
Pain Management Coding Alert
- PM Payment:
Watch for These Potential Fee Changes in 2015
CMS proposes updates to epidural injection codes and more. Every provider expects some changes to [...] - News Flash:
Don't Miss the New Criteria for Prescribing Hydrocodone Combo Meds
DEA cracks down on who can order what. States have very specific rules regarding prescribing [...] - ICD-10:
Ease the Stress of Coding Diagnoses for Spinal Nerve Root Injuries
Hint: Single cross-over code doesn’t mean simple reporting. Choosing the best diagnosis for spinal nerve [...] - E/M Coding:
Follow This Advice to Choose the Best E/M Level
Hint: Check for patterns of reporting highest codes in a range. Some errors tend plague [...] - Reader Question:
Keep Up With Change to Radiofrequency Ablation Counting
Question: We used to bill radiofrequency ablation codes 64633, 64634, 64635, and 64636 by nerves. Has [...] - Reader Question:
+64494 and +64495 Coding Centers on Levels
Question: Our physician documented that he administered injections to the patient’s L1, L2, L3, L4, and [...] - Reader Question:
64640 Covers Rhizotomy of Greater Occipital Nerve
Question: Our provider documented “therapeutic greater occipital nerve rhizotomy on the left and on the right.” [...] - Reader Question:
Remember Modifier GC for Teaching Physician Claims
Question: When a resident assists a physician in a teaching hospital, do we need to add [...] - Reader Question:
Think 'Space,' Not 'Joint' for Sinus Tarsi Injection
Question: I recently received a denial for a cortisone injection to the sinus tarsi with the [...] - Reader Question:
Prepare Now for Potential Single-Person PHI Breach
Question: What must we do in terms of breach notification if we mail a statement to [...] - You Be the Coder:
Successful Coding for an Unsuccessful Injection
Question: The physician attempted to inject L4 and was unsuccessful, but then successfully injected L5. Do [...]
View All