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Anesthesia Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Anesthesia for Procedures on Eye

Published on Fri Dec 01, 2000

Question: Is the Medicare allowance for code 00142 (anesthesia for procedures on eye; lens surgery) 4 units or 6 units? There is no certified registered nurs anesthetist (CRNA) involved in the case.

New Jersey Subscriber

Answer: Medicares allowance is based on 4 units. You must remember that most cataract surgeries are also monitored anesthesia care (MAC) cases. The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Relative Value Guide does allow 6 units for 00142, but Medicare differs from ASA in many cases. Medicares allowance for 00142 is 4 units, although most commercial carriers will allow 6 units for this procedure.
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