Anesthesia Coding Alert
AMA Releases Updates to 2006 Codes
The AMA recently published CPT 2006 Errata, which gives a rundown of descriptor and code errors. The changes affect three anesthesia codes, so update your parenthetical notes:
• For 01991 (Anesthesia for diagnostic or therapeutic nerve blocks and injections [when block or injection is performed by a different provider]; other than the prone position) and 01992 (... prone position), update the parenthetical instructions. It should read, "Do not report code 01991 or 01992 in conjunction with 99143-99150," to reflect the new moderate sedation codes.
• For 01995 (Regional intravenous administration of local anesthetic agent or other medication [upper or lower extremity]), update the parenthetical instructions to read, "For intra-arterial or intravenous therapy for pain management, see 90773, 90774." Delete the reference to 90775.
Anesthesia Coding Alert
- Compliant Coding:
Monitor 3 Trap-Prone Areas to Stop Upcoding Errors in Their Tracks
Check your base units to avoid audit troubles
Even if upcoding claims (miscoding procedures and bringing [...] - Coding Checkpoint:
Quick Tips to Avoid Upcoding Errors
Reading descriptor details helps keep claims clean
You can take steps to help reduce the upcoding [...] - CPT Update:
AMA Releases Updates to 2006 Codes
Change your parenthetical notes for 01991-01995
The AMA recently published CPT 2006 Errata, which gives a [...] - Pain Management Corner:
J Codes Are Your Key When Coding Botulinum
Check billing units and vials before submitting claims
If your pain management provider purchases botulinum medication, [...] - You Be the Coder:
Know When to Bill Multiple A-Lines
Question: Can we bill for two arterial (A-line) insertions during the same surgery?
Texas Subscriber
Answer: [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
You Can Code PCEA Initiation and Follow-Up
Question: How should I code PCEA initiation for a commercial carrier? Can I code additional [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Consider 01922 or 00120 for Auditory Test
Question: Our physician administered general anesthesia while a 16-month-old child underwent auditory stimulation and electrical [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Watch Documentation Before Coding Consult
Question: Our anesthesiologist noted he performed a postoperative pain consultation and inserted an epidural following [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Report 00940 for Episiotomy Repair
Question: How should I code an episiotomy repair done under general anesthesia after the woman [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Don't Forget 3-Year Rule for New Consults
Question: A physician in another practice asked our pain specialist to perform a patient consult. [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Only Report CP Block for Post-Op Pain
Question: Our physician used general anesthesia during a patient's carotid endarterectomy, but also administered a [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
00860 Is Better Code for TVT Surgery
Question: What anesthesia code should I use for TVT (transvaginal taping) surgery? Some physicians report [...]
