Regional anesthesia and the acute pain service: compliance and controversies.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aims of this article are three-fold: first, to describe the necessary elements that result in accurate and compliant billing practice; second, to discuss billing in the context of new blocks and liposomal bupivacaine; and third, to gain a better understanding of compliance law.

RECENT FINDINGS: Regional anesthesia techniques provide an appealing alternative to opioid medication for pain management. However, these techniques also increase the cost of care. As new peripheral and fascial plane blocks emerge, proper coding has become more complex.

SUMMARY: Familiarity with documentation, billing, and compliance requirements can help maintain proper reimbursement rates, as well as limit potential downstream consequences. Most importantly this can help increase the viability and success of an acute pain service.