Pain Management Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Use These Codes for Fascia Iliaca Block

Question: How should we report a continuous fascia iliaca block? We have debate this subject a number of times in the coding department, and cannot arrive at a consensus.

Maryland Subscriber

Answer: According to Toni Elhoms, CCS, CRC, CPC, AHIMA-Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer, chief executive officer of Alpha Coding Experts, LLC, in the Orlando, Florida area, 64447 (Injection, anesthetic agent; femoral nerve, single) is the appropriate code for
a continuous fascia iliaca nerve block.

If the block occurs via catheter, Elhoms says to switch to 64448 (… femoral nerve, continuous infusion by catheter (including catheter placement)).