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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesIntroduction/Injection of Anesthetic Agent (Nerve Block), Diagnostic or Therapeutic Procedures on the Somatic NervesCPT cpt-64488-bilateral-tap-block-transversus-abdominis-plane
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    CPT 64488: Bilateral Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) Block

    Medicare pays $153 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 64488 describes a bilateral transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block performed by injections to reduce postoperative or procedure-related pain in the lower abdomen; this is an interventional pain management procedure typically delivered as an ambulatory or hospital-based regional anesthesia service in operating rooms, procedure suites, or post-anesthesia care settings.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use Disorders, Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use Disorders, Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use Disorders.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is a 38-year-old woman scheduled for an elective lower abdominal procedure such as a laparoscopic hysterectomy or open appendectomy who will receive perioperative analgesia. In the preoperative holding area or immediately after induction of general anesthesia in the operating room, an anesthesiologist or regional anesthesia-trained provider performs a bilateral transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block using ultrasound guidance. The provider identifies the fascial plane between the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles and injects local anesthetic on both sides to diminish somatic pain from the anterior abdominal wall. Documentation includes indication (e.g., postoperative pain control for lower abdominal surgery), laterality (bilateral), technique (ultrasound-guided), drugs and volumes used, needle type, patient tolerance, and any imaging guidance. The procedure may occur in the ambulatory surgery center, hospital operating room, or perioperative block area. Typical workflow: informed consent and time-out, patient positioning, sterile prep, ultrasound scanning, needle placement, incremental aspiration and injection with monitoring, post-block assessment, and documentation of block onset and checks for complications such as local anesthetic systemic toxicity or inadvertent organ puncture.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    64488Injection, anesthetic agent; transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block, bilateralPrimary code for bilateral TAP block used for postoperative analgesia of lower anterior abdominal wall.
    64490Injection, anesthetic agent; ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric nerve block, unilateralMay be used as an alternative or adjunct block for lower abdominal procedures, often performed for similar indications.
    64483Injection, anesthetic agent; paravertebral facet joint or other peripheral nerve block (example)Other regional techniques that may be performed instead of or in addition to TAP block for abdominal or pelvic analgesia.
    01990Anesthesia for diagnostic or therapeutic nerve blocks and injections (not elsewhere specified)Anesthesia billing may be associated when regional anesthesia services are coded in the perioperative anesthesia record.
    64450Injection, anesthetic agent; other peripheral nerve or branchUsed when a different named peripheral nerve block is performed in conjunction with or instead of a TAP block for abdominal procedures.

    Related Modifiers

    8 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207P00000XEmergency Medicine PhysicianAn emergency physician focuses on the immediate decision making and action necessary to prevent death or any further disability both in the pre-hospit…
    2084P0800XPsychiatry PhysicianA Psychiatrist specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders, emotional disorders, psychotic disorders, mood disorders, …
    363A00000XPhysician AssistantA physician assistant is a person who has successfully completed an accredited education program for physician assistant, is licensed by the state and…
    2085R0203XTherapeutic Radiology PhysicianTherapeutic Radiology certificate name was changed to Radiation Oncology. Use Radiation Oncology.
    261QP0904XFederal Public Health Clinic/CenterAmbulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center
    163WA0400XAddiction (Substance Use Disorder) Registered NurseNursing Service Providers · Registered Nurse
    261QI0500XInfusion Therapy Clinic/CenterAmbulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center
    3336L0003XLong Term Care PharmacyA pharmacy that dispenses medicinal preparations delivered to patients residing within an intermediate or skilled nursing facility, including intermed…

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    17 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C79.81Secondary malignant neoplasm of breast
    K35.80Unspecified acute appendicitis
    K40.20Bilateral inguinal hernia, without obstruction or gangrene, not specified as recurrent
    K43.9Ventral hernia without obstruction or gangrene
    K44.9Diaphragmatic hernia without obstruction or gangrene
    K52.9Noninfective gastroenteritis and colitis, unspecified
    K57.30Diverticulosis of large intestine without perforation or abscess without bleeding
    K58.0Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea
    K64.8Other hemorrhoids
    M54.6Pain in thoracic spine

    Showing 1–10 of 17

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Anesthesiology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Elective Inpatient Services (for Idaho Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-06-01
    Sites of Servicepriority health2026-06-01
    Coverage for Ambulatory Surgery Unit (ASU)/Outpatient Facility and Anesthesia for Dental Servicesuniverahealthcare2026-05-21
    Mm_0579_Coveragepositioncriteria_Anesthesia_Services_Selected_Nerve_BlocksCigna2026-05-15
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric DisordersBlue Cross Blue Shield - North Carolina2026-04-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric DisordersBlue Cross Blue Shield - North Carolina2026-04-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-64400-TRIGEMINAL-NERVE-BRANCH-INJECTION

    CPT 64400: Injection of Trigeminal Nerve Branch

    CPT-64405-GREATER-OCCIPITAL-NERVE-INJECTION

    CPT 64405: Greater Occipital Nerve Injection

    CPT-64408-VAGUS-NERVE-INJECTION

    CPT 64408: Vagus Nerve Injection (Vagal Nerve Block)

    CPT-64415-BRACHIAL-PLEXUS-NERVE-BLOCK-INJECTION

    CPT 64415: Brachial Plexus Injection for Regional Nerve Block

    CPT-64416-BRACHIAL-PLEXUS-CONTINUOUS-INFUSION-CATHETER

    CPT 64416: Brachial Plexus Continuous Catheter Infusion

    CPT-64417-AXILLARY-NERVE-INJECTION-NERVE-BLOCK

    CPT 64417: Axillary Nerve Injection for Regional Anesthesia or Steroid Delivery

    CPT-64418-SUPRASCAPULAR-NERVE-INJECTION-SHOULDER

    CPT 64418: Suprascapular Nerve Injection, Shoulder

    CPT-64420-INTERCOSTAL-NERVE-INJECTION

    CPT 64420: Intercostal Nerve Injection, Single Level

    CPT-64421-INTERCOSTAL-NERVE-INJECTION-ADDITIONAL-LEVEL

    CPT 64421: Intercostal Nerve Injection (Additional Level)

    CPT-64425-ILIOINGUINAL-ILIOHYPOGASTRIC-NERVE-INJECTION

    CPT 64425: Ilioinguinal/Iliohypogastric Nerve Injection

    Showing 1–10 of 37

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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