Eli's Rehab Report

Reader Questions:

Master Diagnoses for Facet Joint Injections

Question: Will I have trouble receiving reimbursement for facet joint injections 64470-64476 with the diagnosis of facet syndrome, 724.8 ?


Oregon Subscriber



Answer: In some states, such as Oregon, you may have trouble being reimbursed by Medicare with a diagnosis of 724.8 (Other symptoms referable to back). But offices in other geographic areas, such as Northern California, won't have a problem. Carriers differ greatly regarding the correct ICD-9 codes for facet joint injections - some even require 721.3 (Lumbosacral spondylosis without myelopathy). So go to your Medicare carrier's website and pull up the LCD to review the diagnoses that support medical necessity.

You Be the Coder and Reader Questions were reviewed by Marvel Hammer, RN, CPC, CCS-P, CHCO, owner of MJH Consulting in Denver.

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