Paraspinal Intramuscular Injections

Question:

The type of injections our physicians perform are best described as paraspinal intramuscular injections or paraspinal nerve blocks without radiographic guidance. We are unsure how to code this procedure. What is the best code to use?

Answer:

Any injection around the spine without imaging guidance is best described as a trigger point injection.  The number of muscles injected determines whether CPT code 20552 (1 or 2 muscles) or CPT code 20553 (3 or more muscles) is billed.  If one muscle is injected multiple times, it should be coded with the lower code 20552.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 9/16/24.