tci Part B Insider - 2009 Issue 40

READER QUESTION: You May Need to Bill Multiple Codes for Trigger Point Injections in the Emergency Department

Remember to document the drug that the physician injected. Question: A patient reports to the ED for treatment of severe back spasms. After a level-three E/M, the physician orders four trigger point injections (TPIs): two in the patient's multifidis, and one each in the longissimus and psoas major. How should I code for this encounter? Answer: You should first check that the patient's insurer covers TPIs for muscle spasms as acceptable ICD-9s for this service. Covered diagnoses depend entirely on the payer. Provided the payer accepts the diagnosis, report the following: • 20553 (Injection[s]; single or multiple trigger point[s]...

To read the full article, sign in and subscribe to tci Part B Insider.

Thank you for choosing Find-A-Code, please Sign In to remove ads.