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Post Op Pain Reimbursement – Payment for 76942 (x2) when billed with 64447 & 64448

I have billed Medicare (Novitas) for CPT 64447 WITH 76942 (Ultra Sound Guidance) and CPT 64448 WITH 76942 for POST OP pain after a Total Knee Replacement.
Modifier 26 is added to each CPT 76942 item listed separately on each line.

98% of the time, both 76942 codes are denied; 1 with denial code CO-151 (..excessive amt/frequency of services not supported) and the other with denial code OA-18 (duplicate services).
They are then submitted for reconsideration with the result being that only 1 pays and the other denies as a duplicate.
2 images are submitted for the 2 sites, however, the provider does his dictation for both procedures on the same procedure note.

I am looking for advice on how to get the 76942 codes to pay for both without having to appeal or suggestions for documentation to submit for successful appeal for both USG’s.

Question: What is the correct way to bill for TWO CPT codes 76942 (Ultra Sound Guidance) with 64447 (Adductor canal single shot injection for a pain block) and
64448 (Adductor canal continuous catheter pain block) when performed on a single patient?

Question: Do additional modifiers need to be submitted along with the modifier 26?

Thank you for your assistance.

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Pain Neurostimulators – Can you bill implants separate on commercial cases?

Alright alright alright,

So far we have only had Medicare neurostimlator cases (63650×2, 63685) and recently we’ve been asked if we could do a Cigna. Now here’s my issue, are we able to bill implants separately with this commercial policy using the various HCPCS codes?

The reason for my confusion is because under the CPT notes this is listed:

Includes The following are components of a neurostimulator system:
Includes Collection of contacts of which four or more provide the electrical stimulation in the epidural space
Includes Complex and simple neurostimulators
Includes Contacts on a catheter-type lead (array)
Includes Extension
Includes External controller
Includes Implanted neurostimulator

However, I’ve seen an old thread where it was mentioned that they do bill separately and on the company’s website they list out the implant codes that can be billed to commercial policies. But how? Since it specifically states they are included. Am I missing something or misunderstanding?

Any help is appreciated! :)

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Pain coding – Right lateral epicondyle injection with ultrasound guidance

Help,
This is the procedure:
Right elbow extensor tendon ultrasound guided corticosteroid injection.
Consent: Written consent was given after the risks, benefits, and alternatives of the procedure were explained and patient agreed to proceed with the injection. Indication for ultrasound guidance procedure includes avoidance of further ulnar nerve damage, obesity.
Description of Procedure: Right elbow extensor tendon injection: With the arm pronated, the proximal forearm close to the lateral epicondyle was prepped in standard sterile fashion and appropriate sterile cover and gel were used for ultrasound procedure. Using a Sonosite M-Turbo 15-6MHz linear array probe scanned both in long and short axis and injected in short axis visualizing elbow extensor tendon clearly. Procedure note: Written consent was given after the risks and benefits of the procedure were explained and pt agreed to proceed with the injection. The pt remained seated for the procedure with the left fully relaxed. After standard sterile preparation with Chloraprep. The extensor forearm was then injected utilizing the "peppering" technique with redirection of the needle several times with 1cc of 1%lidocaine without epinephrine and 40mg kenalog (NDC # 0003-0293-05) with intermittent negative withdrawal of heme. The needle was withdrawn. The pt tolerated the procedure well and there were no complications. There was immediate relief of symptoms. A sterile bandage was applied. Pt was given instructions to avoid more than 5 lbs lifting or pulling with right hand for 2 weeks. may ice today only..

Should this be billed as trigger point? My doctor is wanting it to be billed as 24357. Any guidance would really be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Pain coding – Right lateral epicondyle injection with ultrasound guidance

HELP!
This is the procedure:
Procedure: Right elbow extensor tendon ultrasound guided corticosteroid injection.
Consent: Written consent was given after the risks, benefits, and alternatives of the procedure were explained and patient agreed to proceed with the injection. Indication for ultrasound guidance procedure includes avoidance of further ulnar nerve damage, obesity.
Description of Procedure: Right elbow extensor tendon injection: With the arm pronated, the proximal forearm close to the lateral epicondyle was prepped in standard sterile fashion and appropriate sterile cover and gel were used for ultrasound procedure. Using a Sonosite M-Turbo 15-6MHz linear array probe scanned both in long and short axis and injected in short axis visualizing elbow extensor tendon clearly. Procedure note: Written consent was given after the risks and benefits of the procedure were explained and pt agreed to proceed with the injection. The pt remained seated for the procedure with the left fully relaxed. After standard sterile preparation with Chloraprep. The extensor forearm was then injected utilizing the "peppering" technique with redirection of the needle several times with 1cc of 1%lidocaine without epinephrine and 40mg kenalog (NDC # 0003-0293-05) with intermittent negative withdrawal of heme. The needle was withdrawn. The pt tolerated the procedure well and there were no complications. There was immediate relief of symptoms. A sterile bandage was applied. Pt was given instructions to avoid more than 5 lbs lifting or pulling with right hand for 2 weeks. may ice today only..

Should this be billed as a trigger point? My doctor is wanting it billed as a 24357.
Any guidance will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

CANPC Essentials for Accurate and Efficient Medical Coding for Anesthesia and Pain Mg

CANPC Essentials for Accurate and Efficient Medical Coding for Anesthesia and Pain Management
By Vino C. Mody Jr., COC, CPC, CCS-P, CANPC, CCVTC, CNPR, CRMC, MD, Lic., PhD
Please allow me to introduce my recently completed non-fiction book—CANPC Essentials for Accurate and Efficient Medical Coding for Anesthesia and Pain Management—a self-help book aimed at readers who are pursuing a career in anesthesia and pain management coding. The primary target audience is those who are about to take the Certified Anesthesia and Pain Management Coder (CANPCTM) examination, but the book is expected to be a useful and relevant reference book for coders already working in this field.
New-Critical care information in cases, 2018-compliant coding including compliance with 2018 ASA Crosswalk and 2018 Relative value guide, relative value order-coding, an overview of a novel anesthesiology coding method, a 15-question CANPC simulation exam based on the actual CANPC exam, and 71 cases total
Available for purchase from Amazon

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

76942- Pain Specialist Group

Good Afternoon All –

I cannot wrap my head around the appropriate way of billing 76942 along with cpt codes 20552 + 20553.

We are doing an 20552/20553 injection in place of service 11. We have been receiving denials on 76942 from BCBS, Medicare, etc…

According to the cpt code book, 76942 can be reported with 20552/20553.

Are there any specific guidelines to 76942 and 20552/20553? Does it require medical necessity or a modifier on 76942?

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

no pain as ROS?

Hello,

Would anyone count "she has no pain" as ROS in the SOAP note below? My physician and I are disagreeing.

Subjective: XX presents today with Mom for follow up on her left knee. She is doing much better. She has no pain.
Physical Examination: On exam she can do a single-leg hop in the office and a deep knee bend without pain. The left knee is ligamentously intact.
X-Ray Data: None taken.
Assessment: Left knee chondromalacia patella.
Plan: She does have some underdevelopment of the VMO on the left compared to the right. It is important that she works that out. Otherwise, her knee issues will continue to be a problem for her. She will be doing her exercises on her own. We will see her back in the office as needed.

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Certified Coder looking for Remote Coding opportunity specialized in Pain Mgmt & E/M

Hello

I am looking for a Part Time remote coding opportunity. I have extensive experience in Pain Management and E/M Coding. I have just completed the CPMA (Medical Auditing) course through AAPC and am scheduled to take my certification test in the next few months. I am ICD-10 Proficient. I do work full time as a Certified Coder and Compliance Officer in a large Pain Management practice. I have a year experience in remote coding (contract ended).

Resume is available upon request.

[email protected]

Thank you

Melissa Harris, CPC

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

76942 with regional anesthesia (not post-op pain block).

When the only anesthesia for a procedure is regional so it is being billed with an ASA code (such as 01810), is 76942 supposed to be billed for the ultrasound guidance? I know 76942 is billed with nerve block codes (644xx) for post-op pain management, but what about with an ASA code? I’ve never run across this until recently and can’t find anything to say if it’s correct or not. It seems like the ultrasound might be included but I can’t find anything that says so.

Medical Billing and Coding Forum