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Podiatry Coding & Billing Alert

Reader Question:

Distinguish Pain Killing Agents in Plantar Injections

Published on Mon Apr 09, 2012

Question: Our clinic has a number of patients seeking treatment for pain in the sole of the foot. As a result, our physician administers a lot of steroid injections and injections of anesthetic. How should I code these? Is there any critical information that I need to know when reporting these procedures?North Carolina SubscriberAnswer:  Use 64455 (Injection[s], anesthetic agent and/or steroid, plantar common digital nerve[s] [e.g., Morton's neuroma]). You should also use the proper J code to indicate the type of steroid injection with 64455.Podiatrists often administer steroid and anesthetic injections on the foot to treat Morton's neuroma, a frequently occurring injury of the forefoot that affects the third web space of the toes. During the procedure, the podiatrist injects either an anesthetic agent or a steroid into the plantar common digital nerve from the dorsal direction.Watch out: Make sure you do not list 64455 in conjunction with another code, [...]
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