October 3, 2019

Question:
My doctor has introduced us to a code he would like to bill.  I have researched this pretty heavily and included another coder in the research and she could find no reason why we could not code it.  However, I have found that our billing system is sometimes giving me a bundling error stating that the nerve block is included with our primary procedures such as the breast reconstruction code.  Can we bill 64450 (Injection, anesthetic agent; other peripheral nerve or branch) for injections performed to help with post-operative pain management?

Answer:
Actually, these types of injections are not separately reported. Postoperative pain management is included in the global surgical package and should not be separately coded or billed using a nerve block or injection code.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 10/03/19.