Anesthesia Coding Alert

Don’t get tripped up by L&D option.

CPT^® has only one code in the E/M section representing standby time: 99360 (Standby service, requiring prolonged attendance, each 30 minutes (eg, operative standby, standby for frozen section, for cesarean/high risk delivery, for monitoring EEG)). You should report this code for standby time, provided the situation meets all the criteria.

A related code that can apply to labor and delivery (L&D) patients is 99464 (Attendance at delivery (when requested by the delivering physician or other qualified health care professional) and initial stabilization of newborn). However, as an anesthesia coder you should steer clear of 99464 even though it seems to go hand in hand with 99360.

Here’s why: Anesthesia providers care for the mother, not the baby. The American Society of Anesthesiologists even has policies to this effect. Another provider should be available to offer neonate care, so 99464 applies to that professional instead of the anesthesiologist.