The treatment and prevention of pain are the main goals of the medical specialty known as pain management. Injuries, surgeries, illnesses, and chronic ailments can cause mild to severe pain. Medication, physical therapy, exercise, psychological counseling, interventional procedures, or a mix of these methods are all possible pain management strategies.
CPT codes record pain management procedures that don’t involve surgery, like physical therapy, occupational therapy, or counseling. Healthcare experts with expertise in pain management and rehabilitation generally offer these services.
Many medical procedures are needed to treat and manage pain in the complex subject of pain management. Medical providers use CPT codes to document and charge for treatments to help patients manage their pain and improve their quality of life.
Continue reading further to gain in-depth knowledge regarding the significant Cpt codes for Pain Management.
TRIGGER POINT INJECTIONS FOR PAIN MANAGEMENT
20552: Injection(s); single or multiple trigger point(s), one or two muscle(s)
One or more trigger point injections involving one or two muscles are reported using CPT code 20552. Injections performed in an outpatient setting or at a physician’s office can be reported using this code.
20553: Injection(s); single or multiple trigger point(s), three or more muscles
A single or multiple trigger point injection(s) involving three or more muscles are reported using the CPT code 20553. This code may also document injections administered outside of a hospital or clinic.
INJECTION OF TENDON SHEATHS, LIGAMENTS, GANGLION CYSTS, CARPAL AND TARSAL TUNNELS
20526: injection, therapeutic (example, local anesthetic, corticosteroid), carpal tunnel
Use this CPT code to document a therapeutic injection to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. This injection often combines a local anesthetic and a corticosteroid to relieve pain and minimize swelling and inflammation in the affected area.
20550: injection(s); single tendon sheath, or ligament, aponeurosis (example, plantar “fascia”)
A single injection provided to a tendon sheath, ligament, or aponeurosis is reported using the CPT code 20550. Common causes of heel pain, like plantar fasciitis, are generally treated with this injection.
20551: injection – single tendon origin or insertion
To document a single injection administered to a tendon at its origin or insertion location, use CPT code 20551. Usually, tendinitis or tendonitis, an inflammation of the tendons, is treated with this injection.
20612: aspiration and/or injection of ganglion cyst(s) at any location
A ganglion cyst is a not excessively harmful growth that typically appears on the wrist, hand tendons, or joints. The aspiration (removal of fluid) and injection of a ganglion cyst at any site is reported using CPT code 20612.
28899: unlisted procedure, foot or toes
With this code, the insurance company must receive a thorough explanation of the method that was carried out along with the claim. It is crucial to remember that using an unlisted procedure code could subject you to more scrutiny from insurance companies and necessitate additional supporting documents.
DRY NEEDLING CPT CODES:
20560:
The procedure described in 20560 involves inserting a needle into one or more muscles without injecting drugs or other chemicals. For instance, a healthcare professional would use this code for a diagnostic procedure to take a tissue sample from a muscle or use a needle to stimulate a specific muscle to test for a neurological disease.
20561:
20561 defines the pricking of three or more muscles without injecting anything. This code may be applied when a medical professional does a more involved diagnostic test or therapy, such as a nerve conduction study or a trigger point injection.
EPIDURAL STEROID INJECTIONS FOR PAIN MANAGEMENT:
62321: Njx interlaminar crv/thrc
For billing purposes, healthcare practitioners use this code for treatments involving injecting diagnostic or therapeutic substances under the supervision of an image, such as a fluoroscopy or CT scan, into the cervical or thoracic area of the spine. Anesthetics, antispasmodics, opioids, steroids, and other liquids can be injected. The code does not permit the injection of neurotoxic chemicals.
62323: Njx interlaminar lmbr/sac
The medical function designated by CPT code 62323 entails injecting a chemical into the region around the spinal cord, either for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Anesthesia, antispasmodics, opioids, steroids, and other substances may be injected. The use of neurolytic drugs does not require this process. The injection can be administered with a needle or catheter and can be interlaminar epidural or subarachnoid, in the lumbar or caudal regions of the sacral. Fluoroscopy, or CT scan imaging guidance, ensures the needle or catheter is placed precisely.
64479: Njx aa&/strd tfrm epi c/t 1
In the cervical (neck) or thoracic (upper back) area of the spine, a spinal nerve may be injected with an anesthetic and steroid medicine to help relieve pain. The injection is carried out under imaging guidance, such as fluoroscopy or CT, to guarantee accurate medicine placement. The injection at one spinal level is billed using this code.
64480: Njx aa&/strd tfrm epi c/t ea
When more than one spinal level is injected during the same treatment, this code is used in addition to 64479. If a drug is injected into two cervical or thoracic spine levels, the first level would be invoiced as 64479 and the second as 64480.
64483: Njx aa&/strd tfrm epi l/s 1
Similar to 64479, this code defines the injection of medication into the lower back or tailbone (lumbar or sacral area of the spine). Once more, the injection is done with imaging assistance to guarantee that the medication is placed precisely.
64484: Njx aa&/strd tfrm epi l/s ea
When more than one spinal level is injected during the same treatment, this code is used in addition to 64483.
EPIDURAL STEROID INJECTIONS FOR PAIN MANAGEMENT – NON-COVERED CPT CODES:
62320: The injection of diagnostic or therapeutic substances without imaging guidance into the cervical or thoracic spine is denoted by the CPT code 62320. Anesthetics, antispasmodics, opioids, steroids, or other solutions may be included in the injection. A needle or catheter is inserted between the spinal vertebrae to administer the injection.
62322: The injection of diagnostic or therapeutic substances without the use of imaging guidance into the lumbar or sacral (caudal) spine is denoted by the CPT code 62322. Like 62320, the injection is given using a needle or catheter inserted between the spinal vertebrae and may contain medications, including anesthetics, antispasmodics, opioids, steroids, or other treatments.
It’s crucial to remember that these codes expressly forbid the injection of neurolytic compounds, which are drugs designed to cause damage to nerves deliberately. These substances shouldn’t be reported using these codes.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, CPT codes are essential to the pain management sector because they allow doctors and other healthcare professionals to bill correctly for their services. Accurate billing enables healthcare providers to be fairly compensated for their assistance while ensuring patients receive the best treatment possible. To maintain compliance and give their patients the best care possible, pain management professionals must keep up with the most recent changes to CPT codes and recommendations.