2015 CPT Codes Change for Arthrocentesis, Aspiration and/or Injections

Arthrocentesis, Aspiration and/or Injections

Starting from Jan. 1, 2015, there are three new CPT codes to report Arthrocentesis, Aspiration and/or injection procedures when ultrasound guidance is used.

The new codes are (20604, 20606 & 20611):

1.      20604—Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection, small joint or bursa (e.g., fingers, toes); with ultrasound guidance, with permanent recording and reporting.

                (Do not report 20600–20604 in conjunction with 76942)

2.      20606—Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection, intermediate joint or bursa (e.g., temporomandibular, acromioclavicular, wrist, elbow or ankle, olecranon bursa); with ultrasound guidance, with permanent recording and reporting; and

                (Do not report 20605–20606 in conjunction with 76942)

3.      20611—Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection, large joint or bursa (e.g., shoulder, hip, knee, subacromial bursa); with ultrasound guidance, with permanent recording and reporting.     

               (Do not report 20610–20611 in conjunction with 76942) 

CPT code series 20600, 20605 & 20610 have not been deleted and are still applicable codes to use when an injection/aspiration has been performed.

CPT 20604 Procedure

The physician inserts a needle through the skin of a patient and into a small joint or bursa, E.g. the fingers or toes, and then uses the syringe attachment to the needle to remove fluid or he may inject a drug into the joint for therapeutic purpose.

The physician also uses ultrasound guidance with permanent recording and reporting to perform this service.

·         When the physician performs Arthrocentesis, aspiration and or injection of a small joint or bursa, without ultrasound guidance, use code 20600

CPT 20606 Procedure

The physician inserts a needle through the skin of a patient and into an intermediate joint or bursa, E.g. The wrist, elbow, ankle, temporomandibular & acromioclavicular Joints and then uses the syringe attachment to the needle to remove fluid or he may inject a drug into the joint for therapeutic purposes.  

The physician also uses ultrasound guidance with permanent recording and reporting to perform this service.

·         

      When the physician performs Arthrocentesis, aspiration and or injection of an intermediate joint or bursa, without ultrasound guidance, use cpt 20605

CPT 20611 Procedure

The physician inserts a needle through the skin of a patient and into a Large joint or bursa, E.g. The shoulder, Hip & Knee joints and then uses the syringe attachment to the needle to remove fluid or he may inject a drug into the joint for therapeutic purposes.  

The physician also uses ultrasound guidance with permanent recording and reporting to perform this service.

When the physician performs Arthrocentesis, aspiration and or injection of a large joint or bursa, without ultrasound guidance, use cpt 20610.