Primary Care Coding Alert

Question: If a physician performs a digital block on a finger and repairs a 2 cm laceration, would the correct codes for these procedures be 64450 (Injection, anesthetic agent; other peripheral nerve or branch) and 12001-51? Thanks for any help.Virginia Subscriber Answer: CPT® states that the digital block is included in the simple laceration repair code. The following services are always included in addition to the operation per se:Local infiltration, metacarpal/metatarsal/digital block or topical anesthesiaSubsequent to the decision for surgery, one related Evaluation and Management (E/M) encounter on the date immediately prior to or on the date of procedure (including history and physical)Immediate postoperative care, including dictating operative notes, talking with the family and other physiciansWriting ordersEvaluating the patient in the post-anesthesia recovery areaTypical postoperative follow-up care Based on these guidelines, you'll report only 12001 (Simple repair of superficial wounds of scalp, neck, axillae, external genitalia, trunk and/or extremities [including [...]