Which code should be used for postoperative pain management via an epidural catheter?
Prior to 2003, all daily hospital management of epidural or subarachnoid continuous drug administration for postoperative pain management was billed using CPT code 01996. This code was revised in 2003 with the CPT manual instructing providers to bill for daily management with CPT code 01996 when the epidural catheter was placed for anesthesia and retained for postoperative pain management. CPT 2003 further instructs providers that daily management of an epidural that was not the method of anesthesia should be billed with an E/M code. Documentation should support the medical necessity and the level of the E&M code billed. The carrier will review claims for these services according to these guidelines for dates of services on or after the effective date of the change in this code. Unless this code and guidelines are further revised, providers should not continue to bill 01996 for daily management of an epidural that was not the method of anesthesia as was the practice for 2002.
