Procedure code and description
20550 Injection(s); single tendon sheath, or ligament, aponeurosis (eg, plantar “fascia’’)
20551 Injection(s); single tendon origin/insertion
20600 – Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection, small joint or bursa (eg, fingers, toes); without ultrasound guidance – average fee payment – $50 – $60
Coverage Guidance
Coverage Indications, Limitations, and/or Medical Necessity
Injection of a tendon sheath, ligament or trigger point consists of an anesthetic agent and/or steroid agent injected into an area for the management of pain. This Local Coverage Determination only addresses the injection of trigger points.
Trigger points are areas of taut muscle bands or palpable knots of the muscle, that are painful on compression and can produce referred pain, referred tenderness, and/or motor dysfunction. A trigger point may occur in any skeletal muscle/fascia in response to strain produced by acute or chronic overload. Pain from trigger points can be mild to severe. When trigger point pain is severe and unresponsive to non-invasive treatments (e.g., anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, etc.), trigger point injections with local anesthetic and/or a steroid agent may be helpful.
Besides injection into trigger points, local injections are useful in the treatment of pain or dysfunction due to inflammation or other pathological changes of tendon sheaths, and ligaments. Findings may include pain on motion or palpation, swelling, friction rubs and/or catches.
Injections; single or multiple trigger point(s), one or two muscle(s) (20552) or single or multiple trigger point(s), three or more muscle(s) (20553)
The injection of trigger point(s) will be considered to be medically reasonable and necessary for the treatment of trigger points that are unresponsive to non-invasive treatments or when non-invasive methods of treatment are contraindicated. The medical record should clearly reflect all methods attempted and the results. If treatments are contraindicated, the medical record should indicate why the trigger point(s) is not amenable to other therapeutic modalities.
Non-invasive treatments may include, but are not limited to:
Medications (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, etc.)
Physical therapy (massage, heat or ice, stretching, etc.)
Activity modification
Home exercise instruction
Repeat trigger point injections may be necessary when there is evidence of persistent pain or inflammation. Evidence of partial improvements to the range of motion in any muscle area after an injection would justify a repeat injection. Again, the medical record should clearly reflect the medical necessity for repeated injections.
It is not recommended that trigger point injections be used on a routine basis for patients with chronic non-malignant pain syndromes. In addition, several studies indicated that when additional injections are required in a series, other therapies (e.g., medications, physical therapy) in addition to the injections may be beneficial.
Injection Procedures 20600 and 20550
How to code multiple injections. So my hand surgeon is doing injections of the tendon sheath for tigger finger of the Middle finger and ring finger CPT 20550 x 1, than he does injections on the same fingers but in the PIP joint of each finger CPT 20600 x2. Per CCI the 20550 is bundled into 20600 yet a modifer is allowed. In this case would you bill both with a 59 modifer or the 20600 only. Also there is differnt diagnosis for each procedure.
We cannot report these two codes together,only 20660 reportable. As per CCI edit these codes are considered as “Misuse of colum two code with column one code” but there are limited circumstances when the column two code may be reported on the same date of service as the column one code with a 59 modifier. E.g 83721 and 80061.
Injection therapies for tarsal tunnel syndromes (which include any socalled “Baxter’s injections”) and for Morton’s neuroma do not involve the structures described by CPT code 20550 and 20551 or direct injection into other peripheral nerves but rather the focal injection of tissue surrounding a specific focus of inflammation on the foot. These therapies are not to be coded using 20550, 20551, 64450, 64640 or other assigned CPT codes. Rather, the provider of these therapies must bill with CPT code 28899 (Unlisted procedure, foot or toes), since there is not yet a CPT code that specifically addresses either Morton’s neuroma injection or tarsal tunnel injection. Most specifically, the provider must not bill CPT codes 64450 or 64640 for these injections, since those codes respectively address the additional work of an injection of an anesthetic agent (nerve block), neurolytic or sclerosing agent into relatively more difficult peripheral nerves, rather than that involved in an injection of relatively easily localized areas such as a carpal tunnel, tarsal tunnel or Morton’s neuroma
New Edit #780 — Injection(s), Different Types of Radiologic Services (Ultrasound, Fluoroscopic, CT, MRI) and Pooling of Platelets with Injection(s) Platelet Rich Plasma, Any Skin, Including Major Guidance for Harvesting and Preparation. Rationale: Codes 20550, 20551, 20600-20610, 20926, 76942, 77002, 77012, 77021 or 86965 bundle with 0232T. Based on the 2013 Current Procedural Terminology manual, page 588, which states in parenthesis below code 0232T, (Do not report 0232T in conjunction with 20550, 20551, 20600-20610, 20926, 76942, 77002, 77012, 77021, 86965). The bundling of these services follows the National Correct Coding Initiative Edits-Version 19.0.
Rationale: Anthem Central Region bundles J2001 into 20526-20527, 20550-20555, 20600-20615, 27096, 64479, 6448064484, 64490-64495. Based on the National Correct Coding Initiative Edits (Version 19.1), code J2001 is listed as a component code to codes 20526-20527, 20550-20553, 20600-20615, 27096, 64479, 64483, 64490-64495. Therefore, if J2001 is submitted with 20526-20527, 20550-20553, 20600-20615, 27096, 64479, 64483, 64490-64495—only 20526-20527, 20550-20553, 20600-20615, 27096, 64479, 64483, 64490-64495 reimburses
Medicare is establishing the following limited coverage for CPT/HCPCS codes 20526, 20550, 20551 and 20612:
E/M with Procedure Coding
Query: “Are we allowed to bill an E/M service with a procedure?
For example:
CPT 99213-25
CPT 20550
with a procedure that is performed at the same encounter should not be an issue at all. We have recognized guidelines defining the rules for E/M and procedure billing that have been in place and not changed since they were first published. Unfortunately, there are providers who think that each encounter with the patient automatically should result in an “office visit” charge regardless of whether the documentation fails to support an E/M service performance or whether the patient was specifically scheduled for a surgical or procedural service. And, unfortunately, there are some payers that ignorethe rules and guidelines, and blanket exclude “additional” payment for an E/M service by announcing that the evaluation and management was already included in the surgical code allowance. These positions make it very difficult and frustrating for those practitioners who bill E/M services and procedures independently when circumstances allow for billing both.
First, it is inappropriate (or indefensible) to routinely add an E/M service code on your claim just because a patient shows up in your office. E/M service appropriateness is based on both medical necessity for the service and documentationof the components/elements making up the (any) level of evaluation and management performed.
Second, it is inappropriate (or indefensible) for a payer to outright deny reimbursement of an E/M service without first reviewing the patient’s medical record to see if there was medical necessity for the evaluation and management service and documentation to support the level of E/M service billed. The only exception to this would be failure on the part of the doctor to include appropriate modifiers to the E/M service.
Correspondence Language Policy/Example Number 14.20000 – Misuse of column two code with column one code
For example, CPT code 20550 (“Injection(s); single tendon sheath, or ligament, aponeurosis (eg, plantar “fascia”)”) describes a therapeutic musculoskeletal injection. It is a misuse of this code to report it for the injection of local anesthesia in order to perform another procedure such as a hallux valgus correction (CPT code 28292). Therefore, CPT code 20550 is bundled into CPT code 28292.
Correspondence Language Policy/Example Number 15.20000 – Medically Unlikely Edits (Units of Service)
For example, CPT code 27440 (Arthroplasty, knee, tibial plateau) may only be performed on a knee once on a single date of service. If performed on a single knee, this procedure would be reported with one unit of service. If this procedure is performed bilaterally, it should be reported with modifier 50 and one unit of service. If units of service in excess of one are reported, the MUE prevents payment
Correspondence Language Policy/Example Number 14.60000 – Misuse of column two code with column one code
For example, CPT code 20550 (“Injection(s); single tendon sheath, or ligament, aponeurosis (eg, plantar “fascia”)”) describes a therapeutic musculoskeletal injection. It is a misuse of this code to report it for the injection of local anesthesia in order to perform another procedure such as a carpal tunnel release (CPT code 64721).
Therefore, CPT code 20550 is bundled into CPT code 64721.
Payment Facility
Payment APC Code APC Payment
20526 Injection, therapeutic (eg local anesthetic, corticosteroid), carpal tunnel $79.18 $59.47 5441 $223.76
20527 Injection, enzyme (eg collagenase) palmar fascial cord (Dupuytren’s cord) post enzyme injection $86.70 $69.15 5441 $223.76
20550 Injection(s) single tendon sheath, or ligament, aponeurosis (eg plantar “fascia”) $60.07 $42.91 5441 $223.76
20551 Injection(s) single tendon sheath, or ligament, aponeurosis (eg plantar “fascia”) single tendon origin/insertion $61.50 $43.98 5441 $223.76
20552 Injection(s), single to multiple trigger point(s) one or two muscle(s) $55.78 $38.62 5441 $223.76
20553 Injection(s), single to multiple trigger point(s) three or more muscle(s) $64.72 $43.98 5441 $223.76
20612 Aspiration and/or injection of ganglion(s) cyst any location $61.86 $42.91 5441 $223.76
ICD-10 Codes that Support Medical Necessity
For Injections; single or multiple trigger point(s), one or two muscle(s) (20552) single or multiple trigger point(s), three or more muscle(s) (20553), use the following ICD-10 codes:
D48.1 Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of connective and other soft tissue
M25.721 Osteophyte, right elbow
M25.722 Osteophyte, left elbow
M25.729 Osteophyte, unspecified elbow
M25.751 Osteophyte, right hip
M25.752 Osteophyte, left hip
M25.759 Osteophyte, unspecified hip
M25.771 Osteophyte, right ankle
M25.772 Osteophyte, left ankle
M25.773 Osteophyte, unspecified ankle
M25.774 Osteophyte, right foot
M25.775 Osteophyte, left foot
M25.776 Osteophyte, unspecified foot
M35.4 Diffuse (eosinophilic) fasciitis
M46.00 Spinal enthesopathy, site unspecified
M46.01 Spinal enthesopathy, occipito-atlanto-axial region
M46.02 Spinal enthesopathy, cervical region
M46.03 Spinal enthesopathy, cervicothoracic region
M46.04 Spinal enthesopathy, thoracic region
M46.05 Spinal enthesopathy, thoracolumbar region
M46.06 Spinal enthesopathy, lumbar region
M46.07 Spinal enthesopathy, lumbosacral region
M46.08 Spinal enthesopathy, sacral and sacrococcygeal region
M46.09 Spinal enthesopathy, multiple sites in spine
M53.82 Other specified dorsopathies, cervical region
M54.03 Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, cervicothoracic region
M54.04 Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, thoracic region
M54.05 Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, thoracolumbar region
M54.06 Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, lumbar region
M54.07 Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, lumbosacral region
M54.08 Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, sacral and sacrococcygeal region
M54.09 Panniculitis affecting regions, neck and back, multiple sites in spine
M54.89 Other dorsalgia
M54.9 Dorsalgia, unspecified
M60.10 Interstitial myositis of unspecified site
M60.111 Interstitial myositis, right shoulder
M60.112 Interstitial myositis, left shoulder
M60.119 Interstitial myositis, unspecified shoulder
M60.121 Interstitial myositis, right upper arm
M60.122 Interstitial myositis, left upper arm
M60.129 Interstitial myositis, unspecified upper arm
M60.131 Interstitial myositis, right forearm
M60.132 Interstitial myositis, left forearm
M60.139 Interstitial myositis, unspecified forearm
M60.141 Interstitial myositis, right hand
M60.142 Interstitial myositis, left hand
M60.149 Interstitial myositis, unspecified hand
M60.151 Interstitial myositis, right thigh
M60.152 Interstitial myositis, left thigh
M60.159 Interstitial myositis, unspecified thigh
M60.161 Interstitial myositis, right lower leg
M60.162 Interstitial myositis, left lower leg
M60.169 Interstitial myositis, unspecified lower leg
M60.171 Interstitial myositis, right ankle and foot
M60.172 Interstitial myositis, left ankle and foot
M60.179 Interstitial myositis, unspecified ankle and foot
M60.18 Interstitial myositis, other site
M60.19 Interstitial myositis, multiple sites
M60.80 Other myositis, unspecified site
M60.811 Other myositis, right shoulder
M60.812 Other myositis, left shoulder
M60.819 Other myositis, unspecified shoulder
M60.821 Other myositis, right upper arm
M60.822 Other myositis, left upper arm
M60.829 Other myositis, unspecified upper arm
M60.831 Other myositis, right forearm
M60.832 Other myositis, left forearm
M60.839 Other myositis, unspecified forearm
M60.841 Other myositis, right hand
M60.842 Other myositis, left hand
M60.849 Other myositis, unspecified hand
M60.851 Other myositis, right thigh
M60.852 Other myositis, left thigh
M60.859 Other myositis, unspecified thigh
M60.861 Other myositis, right lower leg
M60.862 Other myositis, left lower leg
M60.869 Other myositis, unspecified lower leg
M60.871 Other myositis, right ankle and foot
M60.872 Other myositis, left ankle and foot
M60.879 Other myositis, unspecified ankle and foot
M60.88 Other myositis, other site
M60.89 Other myositis, multiple sites
M60.9 Myositis, unspecified
M62.20 Nontraumatic ischemic infarction of muscle, unspecified site
M62.211 Nontraumatic ischemic infarction of muscle, right shoulder
M62.212 Nontraumatic ischemic infarction of muscle, left shoulder
M62.219 Nontraumatic ischemic infarction of muscle, unspecified shoulder
M62.221 Nontraumatic ischemic infarction of muscle, right upper arm
M62.222 Nontraumatic ischemic infarction of muscle, left upper arm
M62.229 Nontraumatic ischemic infarction of muscle, unspecified upper arm
M62.231 Nontraumatic ischemic infarction of muscle, right forearm
M62.232 Nontraumatic ischemic infarction of muscle, left forearm
M62.239 Nontraumatic ischemic infarction of muscle, unspecified forearm
M62.241 Nontraumatic ischemic infarction of muscle, right hand
M62.242 Nontraumatic ischemic infarction of muscle, left hand
M62.249 Nontraumatic ischemic infarction of muscle, unspecified hand
M62.251 Nontraumatic ischemic infarction of muscle, right thigh
M62.252 Nontraumatic ischemic infarction of muscle, left thigh
M62.259 Nontraumatic ischemic infarction of muscle, unspecified thigh
M62.261 Nontraumatic ischemic infarction of muscle, right lower leg
M62.262 Nontraumatic ischemic infarction of muscle, left lower leg
M62.269 Nontraumatic ischemic infarction of muscle, unspecified lower leg
M62.271 Nontraumatic ischemic infarction of muscle, right ankle and foot
M62.272 Nontraumatic ischemic infarction of muscle, left ankle and foot
M62.279 Nontraumatic ischemic infarction of muscle, unspecified ankle and foot
M62.28 Nontraumatic ischemic infarction of muscle, other site
M62.40 Contracture of muscle, unspecified site
M62.411 Contracture of muscle, right shoulder
M62.412 Contracture of muscle, left shoulder
M62.419 Contracture of muscle, unspecified shoulder
M62.421 Contracture of muscle, right upper arm
M62.422 Contracture of muscle, left upper arm
M62.429 Contracture of muscle, unspecified upper arm
M62.431 Contracture of muscle, right forearm
M62.432 Contracture of muscle, left forearm
M62.439 Contracture of muscle, unspecified forearm
M62.441 Contracture of muscle, right hand
M62.442 Contracture of muscle, left hand
M62.449 Contracture of muscle, unspecified hand
M62.451 Contracture of muscle, right thigh
M62.452 Contracture of muscle, left thigh
M62.459 Contracture of muscle, unspecified thigh
M62.461 Contracture of muscle, right lower leg
M62.462 Contracture of muscle, left lower leg
M62.469 Contracture of muscle, unspecified lower leg
M62.471 Contracture of muscle, right ankle and foot
M62.472 Contracture of muscle, left ankle and foot
M62.479 Contracture of muscle, unspecified ankle and foot
M62.48 Contracture of muscle, other site
M62.49 Contracture of muscle, multiple sites
M62.830 Muscle spasm of back
…..
Covered ICD codes
354.0 Carpal tunnel syndrome 355.5 Tarsal tunnel syndrome 355.6* Lesion of plantar nerve Note: Use 355.6 for Morton’s metatarsalgia, neuralgia, or neuroma 720.0-720.2 Ankylosing spondylopathies and other inflammatory spondylopathies 720.81 Inflammatory spondylopathies in diseases classified elsewhere 720.89 Other inflammatory spondylopathies 720.9 Unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy 723.7 Ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament in cervical region 724.71 Hypermobility of coccyx 724.79 Other disorders of coccyx 726.0 Adhesive capsulitis of shoulder 726.10-726.12 Rotator cuff syndrome of shoulder and allied disorders 726.19 Other specified disorders of bursae and tendons in shoulder region 726.2 Other affections of shoulder region not elsewhere classified 726.30-726.33 Enthesopathy of elbow region 726.39 Other enthesopathy of elbow region 726.4-726.5 Enthesopathy of wrist and carpus 726.60-726.65 Enthesopathy of knee 726.69 Other enthesopathy of knee 726.70-726.73 Enthesopathy of ankle and tarus 726.79 Other enthesopathy of ankle and tarsus 726.8 Other peripheral enthesopathies 726.90-726.91 Unspecified enthesopathy 727.00-727.06 Synovium and tenosynovitis 727.09 Other synovium and tenosynovitis 727.1 – 727.3 Other disorders of synovium, tendon and bursa 727.40-727.43 Ganglion and cyst of synovium, tendon and bursa 727.49 Other ganglion and cyst of synovium, tendon and bursa 727.50 -727.51 Rpture of synovium 727.59 Other rupture of synovium 727.60-727.69 Rupture of tendon, nontraumatic 727.81-727.83 Other disorders of synovium, tendon and bursa 727.89 Other disorders of synovium tendon and bursa 727.9 Unspecified disorder of synovium tendon and bursa 728.4-728.6 Disorders of muscle, ligament and fascia 728.71 Plantar fascial fibromatosis 728.79 Other fibromatoses of muscle ligament and fascia 729.0-729.1 Other disorders of soft tissues 729.4 Fasciitis unspecified 733.6 Tietze’s disease 840.0-840.9 Sprains and strains of shoulder and upper arm 841.0-841.3 Sprains and strains of elbow and forearm 841.8-841.9 Sprains and strains of elbow and forearm 842.00-842.02 Sprains and strains of wrist 842.09 Other wrist sprain 842.10-842.13 Sprains and strains of hand 842.19 Other hand sprain 843.0-843.1 Sprains and strains of hip and thigh 843.8-843.9 Sprains and strains of hip and thigh 844.0-844.3 Sprains and strains of knee and leg 844.8-844.9 Sprains and strains of knee and leg 845.00-845.03 Sprains and strains of ankle 845.09 Other sprains and strains of ankle 845.10 – 845.13 Sprains and strains of foot 845.19 Other foot sprain 846.0-846.3 Sprains and strains of sacroiliac region 846.8-846.9 Sprains and strains of sacroiliac region 847.0-847.4 Sprains and strains of other and unspecified parts of back 847.9 Sprain of unspecified site of back 848.0-848.3 Other and ill-defined sprains and strains 848.40-848.42 Other and ill-defined sprains and strains of sternum 848.49 Other sprain of sternum 848.5 Pelvic sprain 848.8-848.9 Other and ill-defined sprains and strains
