Anesthesia Coding Alert
Reader Question:
Bunionectomy
Published on Tue May 01, 2001
Question: Can you suggest the anesthesia and surgical codes for a bunionectomy (complete excision of the bunion heel)?
New Mexico Subscriber
Answer: The surgical codes for correction of a bunion are usually used for bunionectomy. If the physician performs a complete bone excision, codes 28299 (lapidus type procedure; by other methods [e.g., double osteotomy]) or 28111 (ostectomy, complete excision; first metatarsal head) are appropriate. The cross code to use for administering the anesthesia is 01480 (anesthesia for open procedures on bones of lower leg, ankle, and foot; not otherwise specified).
Other Articles in this issue of
Anesthesia Coding Alert
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Are we getting reimbursed for all the pain- management services we offer in our ambulatory [...] - You Be the Coder:
Grafting Procedures
Question: What anesthesia code corresponds with grafting procedure 15736 (muscle, myocutaneous, or fasciocutaneous flap; upper [...] - Hurdle Anesthesia Diagnoses And Coding Roadblocks
By Barbara Johnson, CPC, MPC
Consulting Editor
Anesthesia historically has been difficult to code and bill and [...] - Reader Question:
Morphine Injections
Question: We are having problems getting reimbursed for morphine injected through a pump, even when [...] - Reader Question:
Multiple Procedures
Question: Does modifier -51 apply to anesthesia? If so, how?
Texas Subscriber
Answer: You can use [...] - Reader Question:
Add-on Procedures
Question: Can we bill an anesthesia code for an add-on procedure, or is the anesthesia [...] - Reader Question:
Joint Injection
Question: Our pain-management physician documented a sacroiliac joint injection, left side, no x-ray. Solu-medrol and [...] - Reader Question:
Bunionectomy
Question: Can you suggest the anesthesia and surgical codes for a bunionectomy (complete excision of [...] - Reader Question:
Anesthesia Code for 64450*
Question: Is there an applicable anesthesia code for procedure 64450*? The primary procedure was 25575 [...] - Reader Question:
Prostate Volume Studies
Question: We conduct prostate volume studies in the OR because we can give the patient [...] - Reader Question:
Central Venous Catheter
Question: We sometimes place a central line during a surgical case for IV access only, [...] - Reader Question:
Unusual Position
Question: How does anesthesia bill for unusual position of a patient on procedures with a [...] - Reader Question:
MAC for Biopsy
Question: How should we code monitored anesthesia care (MAC) for a bone marrow biopsy? The [...] - Reader Question:
Fluoroscopy
Question: How do I code for fluoroscopy our anesthesiologist performed for a paralyzed diaphragm?
[...] - Code the Number of Trigger Point Injections by Muscle Groups
Trigger point injections (20550, injection, tendon sheath, ligament, trigger points or ganglion cyst) should be [...] - Unless Used to Deliver Anesthesia, Epidural Catheter Placement Is Reimbursable
Medicare will pay for placement of an epidural catheter in addition to administration of anesthesia [...] - Non-Medicare Carriers May Pay For Conscious Sedation
Some injections can be very painful, requiring that the patient receive a sedative. For example, [...] - Medicare Carriers Unlikely to Honor 99141 and 99142
Most local Medicare carriers, such as Empire Medicare Services in New Jersey and parts of [...] - Reader Question:
Monitored Anesthesia Care
Question: What diagnoses mandate the presence of an anesthesia provider during MAC sedation for such [...] - Reader Question:
Postoperative Pain Consults
Question: What documentation is necessary to perform and bill a postoperative pain consult? Is a [...] - Reader Question:
Refilling and Reprogramming Pain Pump
Question: How do I bill for an in-office (owned and operated by the pain management [...] - Reader Question:
Billing Facet Joints
Question: My physician performs a two-level facet injection of the L4 and L5 spine on [...]
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