Billing and Coding: Injections - Tendon, Ligament, Ganglion Cyst, Tunnel Syndromes and Morton's Neuroma

The following billing and coding guidance is to be used with its associated Local Coverage Determination. Injection therapies 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 64455 or 64632 Injection(s), anesthetic agent and/or steroid, plantar common digital nerve(s) (eg, Morton's neuroma) as the correct CPT code for the service. Injections for plantar fasciitis are addressed by 20550 and ICD-10-CM M72.2. Injections for other tendon origin/insertions by 20551. Injections to include both the plantar fascia and the area around a calcaneal spur are to be reported using a single 20551. The clinical record should include the elements leading to the diagnosis and treatment decision to use injection. If the number of injections exceeds three to the same site or local area in a six month period, the record must justify these added injections since the presumed need for further injections should raise the issues of correct diagnosis or correct choice of therapy as well as concerns for adverse side effects. Records must be made available upon request.The HCPCS/CPT code(s) may be subject to Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) edits. This policy does not take precedence over CCI edits. Please refer to the CCI for correct coding guidelines and specific applicable code combinations prior to billing Medicare.When the documentation does not meet the criteria for the service rendered or the documentation does not establish the medical necessity for the services, such services will be denied as not reasonable and necessary under Section 1862(a)(1) of the Social Security Act.The Section titled "Does the 'CPT 30% Rule' apply" needs clarification. This rule comes from the AMA (American Medical Association), the organization that holds the copyrights for all CPT codes. The rule states that if, in a given section (e.g., surgery) or subsection (e.g., surgery, integumentary) of the CPT Manual, more than 30% of the codes are listed in the LCD, then the short descriptors must be used rather than the long descriptors found in the CPT Manual.This policy is subject to the reasonable and necessary guidelines and the limitation of liability provision.This medical policy consolidates and replaces all previous policies and publications on this subject by Noridian and its predecessors for Medicare A/B.