Fluoroscopic Guidance and Trigger Point Injections

Question:

I would like to know if generally speaking if Medicare pays for trigger point injection CPT code 20552 with imaging guidance? If yes I would like to know if I can use fluoroscopy or it has to be ultrasound.

Answer:

Medicare as well as other payors should pay for fluoroscopy guidance separately unless they have a medical policy that differs from CPT Trigger point injections do not include imaging guidance and can be reported separately.From CPT Assistant: “The trigger point injection(s) codes (20552 and 20553) are reported once per session based on the number of muscles injected, regardless of the number of trigger points injected in each muscle. Code 20552 is reported for trigger point(s) injection(s) in 1 or 2 muscles, and code 20553 is reported for trigger points injection(s) in 3 or more muscles. If imaging guidance is utilized, report the appropriate radiology code (76942,77002, and 77021) in addition to the injection codes.”

*This response is based on the best information available as of 02/06/20.