Forum - Questions & Answers
arthrocentesis
Pt complains of swollen knee. 25mls of yellow fluid was aspirated on her knee. After the fluid was removed, he injected 16mg of decadron. Do I have to use the 20610 for the aspiration & another 20610 with a 16mg decadron shot? Need help. thanks!
re: arthrocentesis
per the CPT® descriptioin, code 20610 is for aspiration/drug therapy of a major joint or bursa injection or aspiration such as the shoulder, hip, knee joint or subacromial bursa. I would think you can only bill the code once as the physician is already there performing the aspiriation. billing the code twice I think would be double dipping.
re: arthrocentesis
also per CPT® it states "aspiriration and/or injection, so i think with that statement it means one code for both.
re: arthrocentesis
Thank you. I appreciate it!