Anesthesia Coding Alert

Don't shy from submitting the same V code as surgeons.If you avoid the V code section of ICD-9 because you aren't sure whether the choices apply to anesthesia claims, it's time to take a closer look. V codes provide additional information and specificity, which can help get a claim paid. Remember Both MDs Can Report V'sThe surgeon and anesthesiologist can both submit the same V code for a patient's primary diagnosis or to help explain the patient's medical history. Example: Your anesthesiologist might be involved with prophylactic removal of a patient's ovary. Both physicians could report V50.42 (Prophylactic organ removal; ovary). You could also include V16.41 (Family history of malignant neoplasm; ovary) if applicable. "I usually suggest that coders report diagnoses related to anesthesia," says Kelly Dennis, MBA, ACS-AN, CAN-PC, CHCA, CPC, CPC-I, owner of Perfect Office Solutions in Leesburg, Fl. "The exception is when an insurance company requests the [...]