Anesthesia Coding Alert

Only code for anesthesia? You’re set for 2021.

Even in the midst of the uncertainty that has characterized much of 2020, one thing in the coding world remains the same: Fall is the time for learning of the next year’s updates and preparing for implementation.

News of ICD-10-CM updates that will roll out in October have already been published and the comment time for proposed changes to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule is currently open. That leaves one more “big player” on the horizon: CPT^®.

We’ve gotten a sneak peek at the changes you’ll face when CPT^® 2021 goes into effect on Jan. 1. If you code strictly for anesthesia services, the good news is that you won’t even notice the shift because there are no updates to the anesthesia section.

If you code for pain management services, however, you’ll discover slight changes to a few common injection codes and will say goodbye to some Category III codes that have been in place for almost 10 years. Stay tuned to Anesthesia Coding Alert for more detailed information so you’ll be on track in time for the new year.