raidaste
Guest
I have a physician that documented giving a patient bupivacaine and kenalog into the left greater trochanteric bursa as a trigger point injection. My question is do I code this as an arthrocentesis 20610 or a trigger pt 20552?
-
If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ & read the forum rules. To view all forums, post or create a new thread, you must be an AAPC Member. If you are a member and have already registered for member area and forum access, you can log in by clicking here. If you've forgotten your username or password use our password reminder tool. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below..
Wiki Joint Injection
- Thread starter raidaste
- Start date
ollielooya
True Blue
My understanding is that the 20552 would be utilized if there were muscles being injected and according to my CPT Lay Description Book from Ingenix the 20610 might be considered. Within the description of 20600-20610 directions state to: report 20610 for a major joint or bursa injection or aspiration such as of the shoulder, hip, knee joint, or subacromial bursa.
Hopefully others more knowledable will address/correct this as well.
Hopefully others more knowledable will address/correct this as well.
mkmgt001
Networker
I agree with Suzanne. Trigger point injections involve the injection of muscles. The injection of a bursa would be represented by CPT 20600-20610. In your case, since the left greater trochanteric bursa is being injected, I would code CPT 20610.
Mary Kittredge, CPC
Mary Kittredge, CPC
melzinser
Guest
Check the diagnosis.
I have advised my providers that when they are unsure about the correct code, and specifically this very same situation, just check the diagnosis first, and that will lead you to the right code. They were injecting patients with greater trochater bursitis or GTPS, greater trochanteric pain symdrome, ICD 9 726.5. That helped them see that the 20610 was the correct code, not the 20552.
I have advised my providers that when they are unsure about the correct code, and specifically this very same situation, just check the diagnosis first, and that will lead you to the right code. They were injecting patients with greater trochater bursitis or GTPS, greater trochanteric pain symdrome, ICD 9 726.5. That helped them see that the 20610 was the correct code, not the 20552.
mkmgt001
Networker
Great advice! Glad you were able to help make things clear with your providers. 
Happy Friday!!
Mary Kittredge, CPC
Happy Friday!!
Mary Kittredge, CPC