Billing and Coding: Nerve Blockade for Treatment of Chronic Pain and Neuropathy

Medicare does not cover nerve blockade or electrical stimulation for treatment of metabolic peripheral neuropathy, including diabetic peripheral neuropathy, as these are not considered reasonable and necessary; such claims are subject to review and recoupment. Regional/local nerve blocks performed as part of an operative procedure for anesthesia are not affected and may be billed accordingly; billing fluoroscopy CPT 77002/77003 with modifier 59 for somatic nerve blocks is inappropriate when the imaging is included in the billed procedure description. Documentation must be complete, legible, identify the responsible provider, support diagnosis codes, and accurately describe the service performed.

"Regional or local nerve blocks performed as part of an operative procedure (e."

Sign up to see full coverage criteria, indications, and limitations.