Eli's Rehab Report
Use 20610-59 for Multiple Sites
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Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the box below for the answer. Question: Our physiatrist administered a joint injection (20610) to a patient with knee pain, after which the patient reported no relief. The physician then injected the patient's medial joint line, and the patient responded well to it. Can we report both injections, or can we bill 20610 only once? Utah Subscriber Answer: You can bill 20610* (Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection; major joint or bursa [e.g., shoulder, hip, knee joint, subacromial bursa]) twice, but the insurer will probably reimburse you less for the second injection.
Most carriers require that you append modifier -59 (Distinct procedural service) to the second injection rather than reporting two units of 20610, but some providers prefer modifier -51 (Multiple procedures). Contact your carrier ahead of time to determine how you should report multiple injections and whether you should submit documentation with the claim.
Eli's Rehab Report
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