Anesthesia Coding Alert
Cystoscopy Coding Correction
The May 2002 Anesthesia and Pain Management Coding Alert discussed coding for various procedures associated with cystoscopy ("Associated Procedures Key to Cystoscopy Coding," pages 44-46). Some of the codes reported for use with cystoscopy with TURB (transurethral resection of bladder neck) or with lithotripsy were incorrect or incomplete. The article's discussion of cystoscopy with TURB stated that it should be coded with the five-unit code 52500 (Transurethral resection of bladder neck [separate procedure]) instead of the three-unit code 52000 (Cysto-urethroscopy [separate procedure]). Selecting a code that includes both the cysto and tumor resection procedures and is based on the tumor's size would be more appropriate. These would include: In the information regarding coding for lithotripsy, 50590 (Lithotripsy, extracorporeal shock wave) is used for ESWL (extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy), as noted in the article. When a cysto is performed with lithotripsy, you should report it with the code for lithotripsy that is not ESWL (52353, Cysto-urethroscopy, with ureteroscopy and/or pyeloscopy; with lithotripsy [ureteral catheterization is included]).
Anesthesia Coding Alert
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Radiofrequency With Bulging Disk
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Knowing How to Submit Can Ease CodersPain
Coding for the diagnosis and treatment of whiplash is usually pretty straightforward, but there are [...] - Reader Questions:
Submitting for Sedation and Monitoring
Question: The physicians in our practice contract with an ambulatory surgery center (ASC). Sometimes they [...] - Reader Questions:
CRNA-Administered Epidural
Question: How should we bill for a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) who administers an [...] - Reader Questions:
Global Period for Joint Injection
Question: We have a pain patient who was seen for an injection with fluoroscopic guidance [...] - Reader Questions:
Phantom Limb Syndrome
Question: What is the diagnosis code for phantom limb, and what methods are used for [...] - Reader Questions:
Criteria for New Versus Established Patient
Question: In an outpatient setting, what are the criteria for a new versus an established [...] - Reader Questions:
E/M With Counseling
Question: Our physicians sometimes spend a lot of time counseling and explaining treatment options to [...] - Reader Questions:
Spinal Accessory Nerve Lesion and Long Thoracic Nerve Injury
Question: What are the ICD-9 codes for a spinal accessory nerve lesion and a long [...] - Reader Questions:
Understanding the Format of CPT Descriptors
Question: I work with a physician who feels that CPT 20550* (Injection; tendon sheath, ligament, [...] - Reader Questions:
Units for Endograft Repair
Question: I am coding for anesthesia during an endograft repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm [...] - Reader Questions:
Epidural and Spinal Anesthesia Combined
Question: I've received some charge sheets that have both "epidural" and "spinal" anesthesia circled during [...] - Reader Questions:
MAC for Extubation
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The May 2002 Anesthesia and Pain Management Coding Alert discussed coding for various procedures associated [...] - Reader Questions:
Lost Consciousness During MAC
Question: One of our CRNAs says that if the patient loses consciousness during a MAC [...] - Reader Questions:
Pain Management Diagnosis
Question: My CRNA (unsupervised) administered anesthesia for a bladder suspension for 625.6, Stress incontinence, female. [...] - Reader Questions:
Cesium Device Placement
Question: How should we code for placement of a cesium device for a patient with [...] - Reader Questions:
Endovascular Repair of Septal Defect
Question: What is the correct anesthesia code for endovascular repair of a septal defect? Maryland [...]
