Coding Corner Answer

20610-LT, J3322, 76942, Diagnosis 715.6

There would be no coding of an office visit because this was a scheduled visit for a joint injection, and there was no significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service done at this visit.

The joint injection was coded as 20610-LT because the knee is a large joint. The LT is because it was the left knee.

CPT 76942 was used because imaging guidance was used for the injection.

Rheumatologists should take note that the Office of Inspector General (OIG) has added ultrasound services to the 2009 OIG work plan. Some rheumatologists are already seeing requests for medical records to show medical necessity.

The HCPCS code for the drug Synvisc is J3322 per dose.

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Referred to as -X modifiers, they are designed to define specific subsets of -59 modifier

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