Summary & Overview
CPT 62325: Image-Guided Cervical/Thoracic Epidural Injection
CPT code 62325 denotes image-guided epidural injection into the cervical or thoracic epidural space for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, delivered as a continuous infusion or intermittent boluses. This procedure is a common interventional pain-management technique used to address radicular pain, spinal inflammatory conditions, or to deliver sustained analgesia. Nationally, accurate coding for this service matters for clinical documentation, appropriate reimbursement, and monitoring utilization of advanced spinal interventions.
Key payers referenced in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise review of the clinical context for the procedure, common sites of service, and payer coverage considerations. The publication highlights benchmark metrics and utilization patterns where available, clarifies coding nuances tied to image-guided cervical and thoracic epidural infusions, and summarizes recent policy updates that affect coverage and billing for spinal injection therapies.
This report is intended to inform clinicians, billing professionals, and policy analysts about the clinical role of CPT code 62325, typical care settings, and the payer landscape for these interventions. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 62325 describes the injection of a diagnostic or therapeutic substance into the epidural space surrounding spinal nerves in the cervical (neck) or thoracic (upper and middle back) region. The procedure may be delivered via continuous infusion or by intermittent boluses and is performed with imaging guidance to ensure accurate placement around the spinal nerve roots.
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Service type: Image-guided epidural injection for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes
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Typical site of service: Ambulatory surgical center or hospital outpatient setting, and may also be performed in procedural suites where imaging guidance is available
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 56-year-old patient with chronic cervical radiculopathy presents to an interventional pain clinic after failing conservative therapy including oral analgesics, physical therapy, and activity modification. The patient reports persistent neck pain radiating to the right upper extremity with numbness and intermittent weakness. Imaging (MRI) shows foraminal stenosis at C5–C6 with nerve root contact. The interventional pain physician discusses a diagnostic and therapeutic cervical epidural steroid infusion via an indwelling catheter with imaging guidance to confirm symptomatic dermatomal distribution and provide prolonged anti-inflammatory effect.
The clinical workflow: pre-procedure evaluation and informed consent; verification of anticoagulation status and allergy review; placement in fluoroscopy suite; sterile preparation and local anesthesia; fluoroscopically guided placement of an epidural catheter into the cervical epidural space; confirmation of catheter position with contrast; initiation of continuous infusion or programmed intermittent boluses of local anesthetic and steroid; post-procedure monitoring for neurologic or hemodynamic complications; documentation of catheter insertion site, imaging guidance used, drugs and dosages infused, infusion pump settings, and patient response. The typical site of service is an outpatient ambulatory surgery center or hospital-based procedure room using fluoroscopy (imaging guidance).
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
22 | Increased procedural services |