Advanced Search

Primary Care Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Marcaine Coding

Published on Thu Jun 01, 2000

Question: What J code should we assign to indicate the use of Marcaine, 0.5 solution?

Allan Spotts
MHS-Primary Care, Middletown, Conn.

Answer: You may assign one of two codes for this drug either HCPCS code J2000 (injection, lidocaine HCl, 50 cc) or J3490 (unclassified drugs). In either instance you can expect that your carrier will deny the charge if the Marcaine is used to provide anesthetic effect during a surgical procedure, including injection into a joint. The injection of anesthetic is considered bundled into the procedure. For this reason, most practices do not bill for this drug.
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in your eNewsletter
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs*
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more
*CEUs available with select eNewsletters.

Other Articles in this issue of

Primary Care Coding Alert

View All