Take the Sting Out of Injection Coding

AAPC member Mary LeGrand, RN, MA, CPC, CCS-P, provides orthopaedic specialists advice on injection coding in AAOS — the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ online newsletter.

In the article, which details the complicated coding of injections, she says:

“Remember that common injections administered by orthopaedists from the musculoskeletal section of the American Medical Association’s 2009 Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) are considered ‘surgical’ injections. This means that reimbursement for these services includes the following:

• any type of local anesthesia, including hematoma blocks
• the E&M service, if it is not a significant, separate service”

She provides the codes most commonly used for injections and some case studies to help identify injections and when an injection can be coded with an aspiration. Read the full article on the AAOS Web site.

Related posts:

1. Member’s Tip: Pain-free Coding of Morton’s Neuroma
2. Advance for Health Information Professionals: Anesthesia Credentials: Prove Your Worth
3. Advance for Health Information Professionals: Anesthesia Credentials: Prove Your Worth
4. Radiology Today: “Coding Headaches: Don’t Let New Rules Give You One”
5. Coding Guidance for 2009 Ortho Claims

Add a Comment