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Official Description

Injection(s), anesthetic agent(s) and/or steroid; brachial plexus, including imaging guidance, when performed

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 64415 refers to the procedure of injecting anesthetic agents and/or steroids into the brachial plexus, which is a network of nerves that supplies the arm and hand. This procedure is commonly known as a nerve block and can serve both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The injection may help alleviate pain or provide anesthesia in the arm and shoulder region. The process involves the careful placement of a needle into the brachial plexus sheath, which is located in the infraclavicular or supraclavicular area, depending on the specific approach taken. Imaging guidance, such as ultrasound, may be utilized to ensure accurate needle placement, enhancing the safety and effectiveness of the procedure. The injection is performed with the arm positioned in a specific manner—abducted with the elbow flexed and the hand elevated above the shoulder—to facilitate access to the brachial plexus. It is important to note that this code is reported only once, regardless of the number of injections administered to the brachial plexus during the procedure.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure associated with CPT® Code 64415 is indicated for various conditions affecting the arm and shoulder, particularly when pain management or anesthesia is required. The following are specific indications for performing this procedure:

  • Pain Management: The injection may be utilized to alleviate chronic pain conditions affecting the shoulder, arm, or hand, such as neuropathic pain or post-surgical pain.
  • Diagnostic Purposes: It can serve as a diagnostic tool to determine the source of pain by temporarily blocking nerve signals, helping to identify the underlying issue.
  • Preoperative Anesthesia: The procedure may be performed to provide anesthesia prior to surgical interventions on the upper extremity, ensuring patient comfort during the operation.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 64415 involves several critical steps to ensure the safe and effective administration of the anesthetic agent or steroid into the brachial plexus. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Step 1: The patient is positioned with the arm abducted, the elbow flexed, and the hand elevated above the shoulder. This positioning facilitates access to the brachial plexus.
  • Step 2: The skin over the injection site is thoroughly cleansed and anesthetized to minimize discomfort during the procedure.
  • Step 3: A needle is carefully inserted into the infraclavicular or supraclavicular region, and advanced into the brachial plexus sheath. Proper placement is crucial for the success of the injection.
  • Step 4: The correct positioning of the needle is verified through electrical nerve stimulation or by observing the onset of numbness, tingling, or prickling sensations in the arm.
  • Step 5: Once the needle is confirmed to be in the correct location, the anesthetic agent or steroid is injected directly into the brachial plexus through the needle.
  • Step 6: The procedure is completed, and the needle is removed. The effectiveness of the nerve block is assessed to determine the success of the injection.

3. Post-Procedure

After the injection procedure associated with CPT® Code 64415, patients may experience immediate relief from pain or numbness in the arm, depending on the purpose of the injection. It is essential to monitor the patient for any adverse reactions or complications following the procedure. Patients are typically advised to rest the affected arm and may be given specific instructions regarding activity limitations. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess the effectiveness of the nerve block and to determine if additional treatments are necessary. Documentation of the procedure, including the patient's response and any side effects, is crucial for ongoing care and management.

Short Descr NJX AA&/STRD BRCH PLXS IMG
Medium Descr INJECTION AA&/STRD BRACHIAL PLEXUS W/IMG GDN
Long Descr Injection(s), anesthetic agent(s) and/or steroid; brachial plexus, including imaging guidance, when performed
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) 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies.
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 Surgical procedure on ASC list in CY 2007; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P5E - Ambulatory procedures - other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 8 - Other non-OR or closed therapeutic nervous system procedures

This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.

77002 CPT Add On MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Physician Quality Reporting CPT Assistant Article Fluoroscopic guidance for needle placement (eg, biopsy, aspiration, injection, localization device) (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.
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
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
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
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
50 Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
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).
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
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
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
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
P2 A patient with mild systemic disease
P3 A patient with severe systemic disease
Q5 Service furnished under a reciprocal billing 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
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.
26 Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number.
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).
55 Postoperative management only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performed the postoperative management and another performed the surgical procedure, the postoperative component may be identified by adding modifier 55 to the usual procedure number.
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.
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
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.)
95 Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via a real-time interactive audio and video telecommunications system: synchronous telemedicine service is defined as a real-time interaction between a physician or other qualified health care professional and a patient who is located at a distant site from the physician or other qualified health care professional. the totality of the communication of information exchanged between the physician or other qualified health care professional and the patient during the course of the synchronous telemedicine service must be of an amount and nature that would be sufficient to meet the key components and/or requirements of the same service when rendered via a face-to-face interaction. modifier 95 may only be appended to the services listed in appendix p. appendix p is the list of cpt codes for services that are typically performed face-to-face, but may be rendered via a real-time (synchronous) interactive audio and video telecommunications system.
99 Multiple modifiers: under certain circumstances 2 or more modifiers may be necessary to completely delineate a service. in such situations modifier 99 should be added to the basic procedure, and other applicable modifiers may be listed as part of the description of the service.
AG Primary physician
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
EM Emergency reserve supply (for esrd benefit only)
ER Items and services furnished by a provider-based, off-campus emergency department
ET Emergency services
F2 Left hand, third digit
F4 Left hand, fifth digit
F5 Right hand, thumb
F9 Right hand, fifth digit
FA Left hand, thumb
FT Unrelated evaluation and management (e/m) visit on the same day as another e/m visit or during a global procedure (preoperative, postoperative period, or on the same day as the procedure, as applicable). (report when an e/m visit is furnished within the global period but is unrelated, or when one or more additional e/m visits furnished on the same day are unrelated)
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
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
GX Notice of liability issued, voluntary under payer policy
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
KT Beneficiary resides in a competitive bidding area and travels outside that competitive bidding area and receives a competitive bid item
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
PO Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
PT Colorectal cancer screening test; converted to diagnostic test or other procedure
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
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
QZ Crna service: without medical direction by a physician
TC Technical component; under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier 'tc' to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier tc; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles
TL Early intervention/individualized family service plan (ifsp)
TR School-based individualized education program (iep) services provided outside the public school district responsible for the student
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2023-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
2020-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
2011-01-01 Changed Medium description changed. Short description changed.
2003-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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