Many of you probably remember our repeated objections to sales organizations advising their purchasers to bill code 64555 (percutaneous implant of neurostimulator array; neuromuscular for ariculo-therapy procedures.
We have been advising against this billing since it first was reviewed in 2013 and published our correct coding opinion as being either 64999 or more specifically;
HCPCS: Is the Most specific.
- S8930 Electrical stimulation of auricular acupuncture points; each 15 minutes of personal one-on-one contact with the patient.
- (Developed and became effective April 1, 2012.
The 2018 CPT has removed the temptation for these improper billing by deleting the 64555 code entirely and adding a parenthetical note stating “For percutaneous electric neuromuscular stimulation or neuromodulation using needle(s) or needle electode(s) [eg PENS, PNT,] use 64999.
We hope this will finally put this matter to rest.