AMA CPT® Assistant - 2022 Issue 12 (December)
Reporting Planar Blocks (December 2022)
December 2022 pages 12-14 Reporting Planar Blocks Fascial plane blocks such as pectoralis (PECS), fascia iliaca, and interspace between the popliteal artery and capsule of the posterior knee (iPACK) have been recognized as alternatives to epidural, paravertebral, and perineural injections.1 However, there are key differences in the work performed for these services; for example, most planar blocks do not require visualization of specific nerves or depositing local anesthetic around the nerve, unlike what is required for perineural injections of specific nerves such as a femoral nerve block. This article provides additional clarification on the appropriate reporting of these...
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Article Overview
This premium article reviews reporting considerations for planar and fascial plane block procedures in the CPT code set. It is aimed at coding professionals and clinicians who need a clearer understanding of how these services are categorized, what broad types of blocks are discussed, and how the article distinguishes among different reporting pathways for these procedures.
Why This Topic Matters
Accurate reporting of anesthetic and pain management procedures depends on recognizing when a service falls within an established CPT category versus when broader unlisted reporting is discussed. The article is relevant for anyone coding abdominal wall, chest wall, hip, or lower-extremity fascial plane blocks and related pain-control procedures.
Article Sections
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December 2022 pages 12-14
A brief issue header identifying the publication date and page range for the article.
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Reporting Planar Blocks
An overview of planar and fascial plane blocks and how they are discussed relative to other regional anesthesia procedures.
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Planar Block Reporting in the CPT Code Set
Discussion of CPT categorization for planar block services, including the broad groups of blocks covered in the article and related reporting considerations.
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Nervous System
A section presenting nervous system anesthesia coding content related to the planar block topic.
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Table 1. Code Selection Based on Nerve Block Performed
A comparison table summarizing several block types, their general anatomical targets, and the CPT reporting category discussed for each.
What You Will Learn
- How the article frames planar and fascial plane blocks within CPT reporting
- Which general categories of regional anesthesia procedures are contrasted in the discussion
- What broad block types are included in the article’s scope
- How the article organizes code selection by block category and anatomy
- Which coding resources and publication context the article references
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding auditors
- Anesthesia billing staff
- Pain management practices
- Clinical documentation specialists
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
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