Course Code: REL-RCC-AMA-011
Hours: 1
Type: Online Course
Content Expiration Date: 12/31/2026
Learning Objectives:
Recall the core concepts of CPT procedure coding for musculoskeletal injection and aspiration procedures.
Navigate the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) codebook to locate codes for musculoskeletal injection and aspiration procedures.
Apply the coding guidelines and category-specific requirements to assign codes for common musculoskeletal injection and aspiration services and procedures using the CPT code set.
Recognize when musculoskeletal injection and aspiration procedures should be coded separately from an E/M code.
Identify the correct modifier when modifier assignment is appropriate.
Outline:
Musculoskeletal System: Musculoskeletal Injections and Aspirations
Section 1: Introduction
About This Course
Learning Objectives
Section 2: Overview
Overview
Indications
How are Musculoskeletal Injections/Aspirations Performed?
Review
Section 3: Guidelines
CPT Guidelines for Injection and Aspiration
Common Injection Procedures
Other Guidelines
Modifiers
Procedures with P/M Codes
Review
Section 4: Coding MSK Injections
Therapeutic Injections
Injection of Tendon or Ligament
Carpal Tunnel Injection
Coding Application: Musculoskeletal Injections
Section 5: Coding MSK Aspiration Procedures
Arthrocentesis
Arthrocentesis Coding Guidelines
Coding Imaging Guidance
Percutaneous Needle Biopsy
Coding Application: Musculoskeletal Aspiration Procedures
Section 6: Coding Practice
Case Study 1
Case Study 2
Case Study 3
Case Study 4
Case Study 5
Conclusion
Course Summary
Course Contributors
Resources
References
Instructor: Sarah A. Serling, CCS, CPC, COC, CRC, CCS-P, CEMC, CPC-I, ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer
Sarah is a Subject Matter Expert/Writer for Relias's Revenue Cycle and Coding online education. Sarah is credentialed by AHIMA as a Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) and Certified Coding Specialist Physician-based (CCS-P), as well as an approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer. She is also credentialed by AAPC as a Certified Professional Coding Instructor (CPC-I), a certified professional coder (CPC), a certified outpatient hospital coder (COC), and a Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC), with specialty certification in Evaluation and Management Services (CEMC). Sarah extensive experience in both professional and facility ICD-10-CM/PCS, CPT, and HCPCS coding, education, auditing, and revenue cycle management. She has clinical experience as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Medical Assistant (MA) and has served as Director of Physician Billing and Reimbursement for a regional health system, Manager of Coding and Compliance for a hospital and cancer center, and Business Manager of Physician Practices at a teaching hospital, as well as a coding auditor and consultant. Sarah has also authored several coding textbooks, and other instructional resources.
Subject Matter Expert: Andrei Besleaga, BS, RHIT
Andrei is a healthcare coding analyst in the CPT Education and Information Services Department at the American Medical Association, a staff writer for CPT Assistant, and a contributing author of the Principles of CPT Coding textbook. He has been a Registered Health Information Technician since 2009 and an active AHIMA member. He has gathered experience and developed skills by working in health insurance, at third-party payers, and in top-ranked national health care organizations. He completed an AAS in Health Information Technology from DeVry University in 2008 and a BS in Biology from Georgia Gwinnett College in 2015. In his spare time Andrei enjoys traveling, reading, playing the piano and the pipe organ.
Subject Matter Expert: Arletrice A. Watkins, MHA, RHIA
Arletrice is a senior healthcare coding analyst in the CPT Education and Information Services Department and staff writer for CPT Assistant. She supports and assists with other department projects on an as-needed basis, and she is also a contributing author of the Principles of CPT Coding. She has been with the AMA for over 14 years. She has been an educator since 2002 in health information technology (HIT) and is currently a health care administration adjunct instructor at an online university. She earned a BS in Health Information Administration from the University of Illinois at Chicago, IL, and a Masters of Healthcare Administration from the University of Phoenix, AZ. She is also certified as a registered health information administrator from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), as well as an AHIMA-approved ICD-10 CM/ PCS trainer.
Instructor: Jane Conway, RHIA, CCS, CRC, CDIP, CPhT, ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer
Jane Conway is a Revenue Cycle, Coding, and CDI subject matter expert, content writer for Relias. She has ten years of experience in writing and maintaining ICD-10-CM/PCS eLearning curricula for inpatient and outpatient hospital settings. She is also an author and peer reviewer for other revenue cycle eLearning products. She has extensive knowledge in risk adjustment for CMS, HHS, and commercial payers. Jane has worked in healthcare for almost 30 years both in Health Information Management and pharmacy. Her pharmacy background adds a depth of knowledge to her courses. Jane is a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), Certified Documentation Improvement Practitioner (CDIP), a Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), and an AHIMA approved ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS trainer. She is also a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). Jane earned a Bachelor's degree in Health Information Management from the State University of New York Polytechnic Institute where she was the recipient of the New York Health Information Management Association (NYHIMA) Academic Achievement Award.
Jane is active in NYHIMA, where she has served on the program planning committee and the education committee. Jane has also served as a credentials officer for NYHIMA. She recently was a keynote speaker at the NYHIMA annual conference and presented to both AAPC and CNYHIMA local meetings on several pertinent topics. She has also written several articles about new medical treatments for the NYHIMA newsletter.
Target Audience:
The target audience for this course is: Healthcare Billing and Coding; in the following settings: Hospitals: Acute.
Relias Learning will be transparent in disclosing if any commercial support, sponsorship or co-providership is present prior to the learner completing the course.
Relias Learning has a grievance policy in place to facilitate reports of dissatisfaction. Relias Learning will make every effort to resolve each grievance in a mutually satisfactory manner. In order to report a complaint or grievance please contact Relias Learning at support@reliaslearning.com.
All courses offered by Relias Learning, LLC are developed from a foundation of diversity, inclusiveness, and a multicultural perspective. Knowledge, values and awareness related to cultural competency are infused throughout the course content.
To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.
Course Delivery Method and Format
Asynchronous Distance Learning with interactivity which includes quizzes with questions/answers, and posttests.