© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 62322 involves the injection of diagnostic or therapeutic substances into the lumbar or sacral (caudal) regions of the spine. This procedure is performed without the use of imaging guidance. The substances injected can include a variety of agents such as anesthetics, antispasmodics, opioids, steroids, or other solutions, but it specifically excludes neurolytic substances. The process begins with the cleansing of the skin over the targeted spinal area using an antiseptic solution, followed by the administration of a local anesthetic to minimize discomfort during the procedure. A thin spinal needle or catheter is then carefully inserted into the epidural or subarachnoid space through either a paramedian or midline interlaminar approach. The epidural space is the outermost area of the spinal canal, which contains cerebrospinal fluid and is situated between the dura mater and the vertebral wall. In contrast, the subarachnoid space is located closer to the spinal cord, nestled between the arachnoid and the pia mater. To ensure accurate placement of the needle, contrast dye may be injected prior to the therapeutic substance, allowing for confirmation of the needle's position and the visualization of the medication's distribution. After the injection, the patient is monitored for any potential adverse effects, ensuring safety and efficacy of the procedure.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure associated with CPT® Code 62322 is indicated for various conditions that may benefit from the administration of diagnostic or therapeutic substances into the lumbar or sacral regions of the spine. These indications include:
The procedure for CPT® Code 62322 involves several critical steps to ensure proper administration of the therapeutic substance. The first step is the preparation of the patient, which includes cleansing the skin over the spinal region to be injected with an antiseptic solution. This is crucial for minimizing the risk of infection. Following this, a local anesthetic is injected to numb the area, ensuring that the patient experiences minimal discomfort during the procedure. Next, a thin spinal needle or catheter is carefully inserted into the back, targeting the epidural or subarachnoid space. This insertion can be performed through a paramedian or midline interlaminar approach, which are techniques used to access the spinal spaces effectively. Although this specific procedure is performed without imaging guidance, the anatomical landmarks are critical for accurate placement. Once the needle is in position, a diagnostic or therapeutic substance is injected into the epidural or subarachnoid space. This substance may include anesthetics, antispasmodics, opioids, steroids, or other solutions, but it explicitly excludes neurolytic substances. In some cases, contrast dye may be injected prior to the therapeutic substance to confirm the correct placement of the needle and to visualize the flow of the medication. After the injection is completed, the patient is monitored for any adverse effects, ensuring their safety and the effectiveness of the procedure.
After the completion of the injection procedure, patients are typically monitored for any immediate adverse effects, which may include allergic reactions or unexpected pain. It is essential to observe the patient for a short period to ensure that they do not experience any complications. Patients may be advised to rest and avoid strenuous activities for a specified duration following the procedure. Additionally, they may receive instructions regarding pain management and any follow-up appointments that may be necessary to assess the effectiveness of the injection. It is important for patients to report any unusual symptoms or side effects to their healthcare provider promptly. Overall, the post-procedure care is aimed at ensuring patient safety and optimizing recovery.
| Short Descr | NJX INTERLAMINAR LMBR/SAC | Medium Descr | NJX DX/THER SBST INTRLMNR LMBR/SAC W/O IMG GDN | Long Descr | 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 | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Procedure or Service, Multiple Reduction Applies | ASC Payment Indicator | Non office-based surgical procedure added in CY 2008 or later; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P6B - Minor procedures - musculoskeletal | MUE | 1 |
This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.
| 0777T | Add-on Code MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC N Real-time pressure-sensing epidural guidance system (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) |
| 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | X4 | Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | 51 | Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | X2 | Continuous/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians whose expertise is needed for the ongoing management of a chronic disease or a condition that needs to be managed and followed with no planned endpoint to the relationship; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to: a rheumatologist taking care of the patient's rheumatoid arthritis longitudinally but not providing general primary care services | XP | Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner | X5 | Diagnostic services requested by another clinician: for reporting services by a clinician who furnishes care to the patient only as requested by another clinician or subsequent and related services requested by another clinician; this modifier is reported for patient relationships that may not be adequately captured by the above alternative categories; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the radiologist's interpretation of an imaging study requested by another clinician | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | 22 | Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | 53 | Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use). | 56 | Preoperative management only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performed the preoperative care and evaluation and another performed the surgical procedure, the preoperative component may be identified by adding modifier 56 to the usual procedure number. | 58 | Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78. | 73 | Discontinued out-patient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) procedure prior to the administration of anesthesia: due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, the physician may cancel a surgical or diagnostic procedure subsequent to the patient's surgical preparation (including sedation when provided, and being taken to the room where the procedure is to be performed), but prior to the administration of anesthesia (local, regional block(s) or general). under these circumstances, the intended service that is prepared for but cancelled can be reported by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 73. note: the elective cancellation of a service prior to the administration of anesthesia and/or surgical preparation of the patient should not be reported. for physician reporting of a discontinued procedure, see modifier 53. | 78 | Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.) | 79 | Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.) | AG | Primary physician | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | FP | Service provided as part of family planning program | FS | Split (or shared) evaluation and management visit | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | GY | Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit | KX | Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | P3 | A patient with severe systemic disease | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | Q3 | Live kidney donor surgery and related services | Q6 | Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area | SG | Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service |
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| 2017-01-01 | Added | Added |