February 4, 2021

Question:
My doctor reported 62323 for a steroid injection in the lumbar region in which he used imaging guidance. But he coded 62323, 62323-59 and 62323-59. I asked him why he was reporting this code three times and he indicated he had to make three attempts to get into the space so he coded it three times. I don’t think this is correct and need your opinion.

Answer:
There may be instances in which several attempts are made to get into the space, but this would not constitute an additional procedure. The term level refers to a vertebral segment. These codes are not per vertebral segment or interspace, but rather by region (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, or sacral). Therefore, code 62323 is not reported more than once per date of service.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 02/04/21