Chronic Pain Management G Codes

Question:

I'm struggling to understand the guidelines for HCPCS code G3002 and G3003. Is there any guidance you could provide?

Answer:

CMS's MLN006764 September 2024 provides guidance on the appropriate use of Chronic Pain Management (CPM) HCPCS codes G3002 and G3003. Medicare defines chronic pain as “persistent, or current pain lasting longer than three months.”

The HCPCS codes are used for reporting "chronic pain management” and treatment monthly bundle including:

• Diagnosis

• Assessment and monitoring diagnosis

• Administration of a validated pain rating scale or tool

• Development, implementation, revision, and/or maintenance of a person-centered care plan that includes strengths, goals, clinical needs, and desired outcomes;

• Overall treatment management; facilitation and coordination of any necessary behavioral health treatment;

• Medication management;

• Pain and health literacy counseling;

• Any necessary chronic pain related crisis care;

• Ongoing communication and care coordination between relevant practitioners furnishing care, e.g. physical therapy and occupational therapy, complementary and integrative approaches, and community-based care, as appropriate.

Criteria and documentation requirements

The initial visit must be face-to-face visit for at least 30 minutes provided by a physician or other qualified health professional. 30 minutes must be met or exceeded to bill for G3002.

G3003 can be added for each additional 15 minutes of chronic pain management and treatment personally provided by a physician or other qualified health care professional, per calendar month. The entire 15 minutes must be utilized in to report.

You must develop and maintain a person-centered plan.

You must provide and document the elements listed in the code bundle to the first month for each patient. Subsequent months do not require all listed components.

Although this code was created by CMS, we recommend you reach out to your commercial payors as they may reimburse for them as well.

G3002 is billed once per calendar month. G3003 is billable for as many times as medically necessary within the calendar month and calculated in 15-minute increments.

https://www.cms.gov/outreach-and-education/medicare-learning-network-mln/mlnproducts/downloads/eval-mgmt-serv-guide-icn006764.pdf

*This response is based on the best information available as of 3/27/25.

Should the Acupuncturist be Present

Question:

When a patient receives acupuncture for 30 minutes, does there need to be personal one-on-one contact with the patient in addition to re-inserting the needles?

Answer:

CPT coding for acupuncture is based on the time spent actively performing the procedure. This includes selecting the acupuncture points, inserting the needles, monitoring the patient’s response, and making any necessary adjustments. All these tasks require direct interaction with the patient throughout the treatment session. Essentially, the billing code reflects the dedicated time the practitioner spends actively treating the patient, not just the needle insertion itself.

Therefore, yes, the acupuncturist must be present for the entire procedure.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 3/13/25.

Interspace Between the Popliteal Artery and Capsule of the Posterior Knee (iPACK) Block

Question:

KZA, thank you for the information on the Coding Coach on the PENG block.  Do the same CPT codes apply to an interspace between the Popliteal Artery and Capsule of the posterior Knee (iPACK) block?

Answer:

While the Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) targets the anterior capsule of the hip, the iPACK block focuses on the posterior knee joint.

The creation of CPT codes 64466 – 64474 describes blocks performed in the fascial plane and distinguishes the fascial plane blocks from a nerve block.

CPT codes 64473 and 64474 are used for the infiltration of the interspace between the Popliteal Artery and the capsule (iPACK) block. The applicable code will depend on whether an injection or continuous infusion is performed.

• 64473 – Lower extremity fascial plane block, unilateral; by injection(s), including imaging guidance, when performed

• 64474 – Lower extremity fascial plane block, unilateral; by continuous infusion(s), including imaging guidance, when performed

*This response is based on the best information available as of 2/27/25.

Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) block

Question:

Prior to 2025 we had been instructed to code a Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) block to 64999?  What is the best CPT code for a PENG block in 2025?

Answer:

In this procedure, a local anesthetic is injected into the fascial plane located between the psoas tendon and the ilium. This targeted block affects the articular branches of the femoral, obturator, and accessory obturator nerves, which provide sensory innervation to the anterior capsule of the hip.

With the creation of the 2025 CPT codes:

• 64466 – Thoracic fascial plane block, unilateral; by injection(s), including imaging guidance, when performed

• 64467 – Thoracic fascial plane block, unilateral; by continuous infusion(s), including imaging guidance, when performed

• 64468 – Thoracic fascial plane block, bilateral; by injection(s), including imaging guidance, when performed

• 64469 – Thoracic fascial plane block, bilateral; by continuous infusion(s), including imaging guidance, when performed

• 64473 – Lower extremity fascial plane block, unilateral; by injection(s), including imaging guidance, when performed

• 64474 – Lower extremity fascial plane block, unilateral; by continuous infusion(s), including imaging guidance, when performed

CPT Codes 64473 and 64474 now represent the Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) block.  The code selection is based on whether an injection or continuous infusion is performed.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 2/13/25.

TAP Block?

Question:

I am new to coding pain management procedures. Please explain what a TAP procedure is and why it is typically performed. I am unfamiliar with this procedure and what CPT code to use.

Answer:

Thank you for your inquiry. A Transverse Abdominis Plane (TAP) block is a regional anesthesia technique used to manage abdominal pain. The physician injects a local anesthetic into the plane between the internal oblique and the transversus abdominis muscles during the procedure. The anesthetic blocks the nerves that supply sensation to the anterior abdominal wall, providing pain relief for the patient.

TAP blocks are commonly used for diagnostic purposes, such as differentiating between abdominal wall pain and visceral pain, postoperative pain management after abdominal surgeries, hernia repairs, and appendectomies, or to treat chronic pain syndromes such as chronic abdominal wall pain.

Several CPT codes are available for this procedure, and the use of one will depend upon the documentation in the operative note and whether the procedure is performed unilaterally or bilaterally or by injection or continuous infusion. The CPT codes include imaging guidance when performed, so there is no additional reporting.

TAP blocks reported by injection (s)

64486: Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block (abdominal plane block, rectus sheath block) unilateral; by injection(s) (includes imaging guidance, when performed)

64488: Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block (abdominal plane block, rectus sheath block) bilateral; by injections (includes imaging guidance, when performed)

TAP blocks reported by continuous infusions (catheter placement is included)

64487: Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block (abdominal plane block, rectus sheath block) unilateral; by continuous infusion(s) (includes imaging guidance, when performed)

64489: Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block (abdominal plane block, rectus sheath block) bilateral; by continuous infusions (includes imaging guidance, when performed)

*This response is based on the best information available as of 1/30/25.

Prescription Drug Management

Question:

Every patient I see is in pain, and I discuss prescription medications (primarily prescription NSAIDs, Neurontin, and/or muscle relaxers) with almost every patient. If I document “discussed prescription drug management with Mobic, patient defers and will continue Motrin OTC as needed.” Is this prescription drug management?

Answer:

If this is a true clinical management option for this unique patient based on their history, pain level, the number of times you have seen them, imaging, and the patient is not responding to OTC meds, and you determine Mobic is the best next course of treatment for the patient, and they still decline it, this can support prescription drug management. You are still recommending something that has a risk to the patient. This is from the clinical standpoint, which must be clearly documented in the note.

Be aware, many payors have increased scrutiny in this area and may not see it the same way. It can go both ways, so you must be careful. If you routinely do this for every patient to increase your code level and submit all of these as level fours, you may be at risk and set yourself up for an audit from a payor.

Prescription drug management involves a prescription-strength drug that the patient must go to the pharmacy to get. The name, dosage, strength of the drug, and how to take it, along with any rationale for why it is prescribed at the time of the visit, also need to be documented. Payors want to see this documentation in the plan of care. Prescription drug management involves the risk that you take prescribing and the risk to the patient taking the medication.

Refilling a current prescription does not automatically equate to a Moderate level of MDM. The billing practitioner must document the rationale for continuing the medication for the patient at the visit (e.g., the patient’s pain is well-controlled on x mg at this time, and he/she will continue the current dose).

*This response is based on the best information available as of 1/16/25.