2025 CPT code 27096

Injection procedure for sacroiliac joint, anesthetic/steroid, with image guidance (fluoroscopy or CT) including arthrography when performed.

Code 27096 is for unilateral injections; for bilateral injections, append modifier 50. This code includes imaging guidance (fluoroscopy or CT).Do not report separately.If imaging guidance is not used, use a different code like 20552.

Modifiers such as 50 (bilateral), 76 (repeat procedure by the same physician), and 77 (repeat procedure by another physician) may be applicable.

Medical necessity for 27096 must be supported by documentation indicating the patient's symptoms, diagnostic workup (e.g., physical exam, imaging studies), and failed conservative treatments. The documentation should clearly link the SI joint as the likely source of the patient’s pain.

The physician prepares the patient, administers local anesthesia, inserts the needle into the SI joint under imaging guidance, injects the medication, and applies a dressing. For arthrography, contrast is injected, and images are taken.

IMPORTANT If imaging guidance (fluoroscopy or CT) is not used, consider 20552 (trigger point injection). If ultrasound guidance is used instead of fluoroscopy or CT, use 20552 and 76942 (ultrasound guidance).

In simple words: The doctor injects medicine into the sacroiliac (SI) joint in your lower back to relieve pain and inflammation.X-ray or CT imaging is used to guide the needle precisely into the joint. Sometimes, a special dye is also injected to take pictures of the joint.

This code represents an injection procedure into the sacroiliac (SI) joint using either anesthetic and/or steroid, guided by fluoroscopy or CT. Arthrography, if performed, is included in this code.This code is for a unilateral procedure. Use modifier 50 for bilateral injections.

Example 1: A patient with chronic lower back pain radiating to the buttock and thigh, suspected to originate from the SI joint, receives a diagnostic injection under fluoroscopic guidance to confirm the diagnosis., A patient diagnosed with sacroiliitis receives a therapeutic SI joint injection with corticosteroid under CT guidance to reduce inflammation and pain., A patient with an SI joint injury undergoes an injection with anesthetic and corticosteroid with concurrent arthrography under fluoroscopy to assess the joint damage and provide pain relief.

Documentation should include the diagnosis, medical necessity for the injection, type of imaging guidance used (fluoroscopy or CT), medication(s) injected, and whether arthrography was performed. Any pre- and post-injection evaluations should also be documented.

  • Payment Status: Active
  • Specialties:Pain Management, Orthopedic Surgery, Physiatry, Radiology
  • Place of Service:Office, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center
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