How To Use CPT Code 62322

CPT 62322 describes the injection of a diagnostic or therapeutic substance into the lumbar or sacral region of the spine, without the use of imaging guidance. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 62322?

CPT 62322 can be used to describe the injection of a diagnostic or therapeutic substance into the lumbar or sacral region of the spine. This code is used when the provider administers the injection without the use of imaging guidance. The substance injected can include pain medication, steroids, or other solutions that are used for either diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 62322 is: ‘Injection(s), of diagnostic or therapeutic substance(s) (eg, anesthetic, antispasmodic, opioid, steroid, other solution), not including neurolytic substances, including needle or catheter placement, interlaminar epidural or subarachnoid, lumbar or sacral (caudal); without imaging guidance.’

3. Procedure

1. The provider prepares the patient for the procedure, ensuring that the area is appropriately prepped and anesthetized.
2. Using a needle or catheter, the provider advances towards the interlaminar epidural or subarachnoid space in the lumbar or sacral region of the spine.
3. Once the needle is in place, the provider confirms its location to avoid any injury to nearby nerve roots or the spinal cord.
4. The provider then injects the diagnostic or therapeutic substance, such as an epidural steroid solution, into the space for either diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
5. After the injection, the provider monitors the patient for 15 to 20 minutes to ensure there are no immediate complications.
6. Finally, the provider removes the needle, flushes the site with sterile saline, and applies gauze over the site of needle insertion.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 62322 is typically performed on patients who require the injection of a diagnostic or therapeutic substance into the lumbar or sacral region of the spine. The procedure is not performed with the use of imaging guidance. The substance injected can include anesthetics, antispasmodics, opioids, steroids, or other solutions. It is important to note that neurolytic substances are not included in this code.

5. When to use CPT code 62322

CPT code 62322 should be used when the provider administers an injection of a diagnostic or therapeutic substance into the lumbar or sacral region of the spine without the use of imaging guidance. It is important to ensure that the substance injected is not a neurolytic substance, as this would require a different code. If the injection is performed in the neck or upper or middle back area, a different code should also be used.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT code 62322, the provider must document the following information:

• Reason for the injection and the need for diagnostic or therapeutic substance
• Specific substance injected
• Date and time of the procedure
• Confirmation of needle placement and avoidance of injury to nearby structures
• Monitoring of the patient after the injection
• Removal of the needle and post-procedure care

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT code 62322, ensure that the injection is performed without the use of imaging guidance and that the substance injected is not a neurolytic substance. It is important to follow the specific guidelines for reporting this code and to consider any additional tips provided by the payer or coding guidelines. If the injection is performed with imaging guidance or in a different region of the spine, a different code should be used.

8. Historical information

CPT code 62322 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2017. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A provider administers an injection of a diagnostic substance into the lumbar region of the spine to determine the cause of a patient’s lower back pain.
2. A patient with sciatica receives a therapeutic injection of a steroid solution into the sacral region of the spine to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain.
3. A provider administers an injection of an anesthetic substance into the lumbar region of the spine to numb the area before performing a surgical procedure.
4. A patient with spinal stenosis undergoes a diagnostic injection of a contrast solution into the lumbar region of the spine to identify the location of the narrowing.
5. A provider administers a therapeutic injection of an antispasmodic substance into the sacral region of the spine to relieve muscle spasms in a patient with chronic pelvic pain.
6. A patient with a herniated disc receives a diagnostic injection of a contrast solution into the lumbar region of the spine to determine the extent of the disc protrusion.
7. A provider administers a therapeutic injection of an opioid substance into the lumbar region of the spine to manage severe pain in a patient with cancer.
8. A patient with degenerative disc disease undergoes a diagnostic injection of a local anesthetic into the sacral region of the spine to identify the source of their back pain.
9. A provider administers a therapeutic injection of a steroid solution into the lumbar region of the spine to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis.