New coding guidance: New paravertebral blocks — “Whatever you do, don’t report imaging separately”

Why This Topic Matters

The article helps readers recognize which pain-management procedures fall under the new paravertebral block codes and what kinds of related services should not be reported separately. It also highlights payment-edit issues and the need to monitor payer and Medicare guidance.

Article Sections

1. Overview of the new paravertebral block codes

   Introduces the new coding changes for postoperative pain services and summarizes the general context for the updated CPT guidance.

2. New CPT codes discussed

   Presents the specific paravertebral block code family and identifies the broader procedural category covered by the article.

3. Reporting restrictions and related codes

   Describes the types of services and related procedure code categories that are discussed alongside the new paravertebral block guidance.

4. Add-on and catheter service guidance

   Explains the article’s discussion of additional-site reporting and continuous-infusion catheter services within the same code family.

5. Medically unlikely edits and claim processing

   Covers the mention of claim-edit values and the impact on billing and appeal handling.

6. Differentiating paravertebral blocks from transforaminal injections

   Compares the paravertebral block topic with transforaminal epidural injection coding at a high level and notes the procedural distinctions discussed in the article.