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Official Description

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

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 64447 involves the injection of anesthetic agents and/or steroids into the femoral nerve, which is a critical nerve located in the thigh that is responsible for sensation and movement in the leg. This procedure is typically performed to provide pain relief, particularly in cases of hip or knee surgery, or for patients suffering from conditions that cause significant discomfort in the lower extremities. The injection is guided by imaging techniques to ensure accurate placement of the needle, which is essential for the effectiveness of the nerve block. The process begins with the preparation of the patient's skin, followed by the careful insertion of a needle into the femoral nerve sheath. The use of electrical nerve stimulation or imaging guidance, such as ultrasound, helps confirm the correct positioning of the needle. Once the needle is properly placed, aspiration is conducted to prevent any accidental injection into a blood vessel. The anesthetic agent, often a long-acting local anesthetic like bupivacaine, is then injected to achieve the desired nerve block effect. This procedure is crucial for managing pain and facilitating recovery in various medical scenarios.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The femoral nerve block procedure described by CPT® Code 64447 is indicated for several specific conditions and scenarios where pain management is essential. The following are the primary indications for performing this procedure:

  • Postoperative Pain Management This procedure is commonly indicated for patients undergoing hip or knee surgeries, where effective pain control is necessary for recovery.
  • Chronic Pain Conditions Patients suffering from chronic pain in the lower extremities may benefit from this nerve block to alleviate discomfort and improve mobility.
  • Trauma In cases of trauma to the thigh or knee area, a femoral nerve block can provide significant pain relief and facilitate rehabilitation.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 64447 involves several critical steps to ensure the safe and effective administration of the anesthetic agent. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Preparation of the Patient The patient's groin area is cleansed and prepared with a small amount of local anesthetic applied to the affected side. This step is crucial for minimizing discomfort during the injection process.
  • Marking the Injection Site The planned injection site is marked to ensure accurate placement of the needle. This helps guide the clinician during the procedure.
  • Needle Insertion A single-use needle or an insulated needle within a long cannula is inserted through the anesthetized skin near the femoral artery and the inguinal ligament, advancing into the femoral nerve sheath. This precise placement is vital for the success of the block.
  • Verification of Needle Placement Proper placement of the needle is confirmed using electrical nerve stimulation or by observing the onset of numbness, tingling, or prickling sensations. Imaging guidance, such as ultrasound, may also be utilized to ensure accuracy.
  • Aspiration Aspiration is performed to check for blood return, ensuring that there is no risk of intravascular injection before the anesthetic is introduced.
  • Injection of Anesthetic Once proper placement is confirmed, the anesthetic agent is injected into the femoral nerve sheath. A long-acting local anesthetic, such as bupivacaine with epinephrine, is typically used to provide prolonged pain relief.
  • Monitoring and Additional Steps The clinician monitors the patient for nerve block function and performs periodic aspiration to ensure safety. If a continuous infusion is planned, an epidural catheter may be threaded through the cannula and secured in position before the cannula is removed.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the femoral nerve block procedure, patients are typically monitored for any immediate adverse reactions or complications. Expected recovery includes a period of numbness and reduced sensation in the thigh and leg, which is the intended effect of the nerve block. Patients may experience varying degrees of pain relief, and the duration of the anesthetic effect can vary based on the agent used. It is essential for healthcare providers to provide instructions regarding mobility and activity levels post-procedure, as the numbness may affect the patient's ability to walk or perform certain movements safely. Follow-up assessments may be necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of the nerve block and to determine if additional interventions are required for pain management.

Short Descr NJX AA&/STRD FEMORAL NRV IMG
Medium Descr INJECTION AA&/STRD FEMORAL NERVE W/IMG GDN
Long Descr Injection(s), anesthetic agent(s) and/or steroid; femoral nerve, 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 Office-based surgical procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later with MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs; payment based on MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P6C - Minor procedures - other (Medicare fee schedule)
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
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).
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
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
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).
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
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
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
QK Medical direction of two, three, or four concurrent anesthesia procedures involving qualified individuals
QX Crna service: with medical direction by a physician
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
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
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
P3 A patient with severe systemic disease
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.
47 Anesthesia by surgeon: regional or general anesthesia provided by the surgeon may be reported by adding modifier 47 to the basic service. (this does not include local anesthesia.) note: modifier 47 would not be used as a modifier for the anesthesia procedures.
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient 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).
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.
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.
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.)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
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.
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
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
ER Items and services furnished by a provider-based, off-campus emergency department
ET Emergency services
GT Via interactive audio and video telecommunication systems
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
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
P2 A patient with mild systemic disease
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
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
QJ Services/items provided to a prisoner or patient in state or local custody, however the state or local government, as applicable, meets the requirements in 42 cfr 411.4 (b)
QZ Crna service: without medical direction by a physician
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
T1 Left foot, second digit
T9 Right foot, fifth digit
TA Left foot, great toe
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
U1 Medicaid level of care 1, as defined by each state
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
Date
Action
Notes
2023-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
2020-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
2003-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 2003.
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