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Ultrasound 76942 and injections

D

Denisemds

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2
Hi folks,

One of our pain management doctors is beginning to do ultrasound guided injections and we have some confusion regarding the appropriate way to code these procedures. For example, a patient of his has a bursa injection done with ultrasound, we would code it 76942 with a 20610, and a J1030 for anesthesia.

The problem is our doctor went to a coding seminar and was told that we are not allowed to bill the injection 20610 with a 76942 because it is supposedly bundled with ultrasound. We have checked Medicare LCDs but couldn't find any supporting documents that shows this to be true.

Is he correct or are we? Thanks.
 
20610 and 76942 are not bundled. Look at the CPT book, there is a parenthetical note under 20610 that indicates to use the appropriate code for guidance, including 76942).
Some injections do include ultrasound guidance (facet joint and transforaminal epidural for example), but not all.
Was there a hand-out for this presentation he went to? Perhaps he'll let you look at it to see if he misunderstood?
 
Thanks a bunch, Donna. I don't think he has a hand out, but I'll be definitely giving him a copy of the code book. :)
 
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