Anesthesia Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Code 01936 Is Probably Best for Anesthesia During Kyphoplasty

Question: One of our doctors is questioning whether 01936 accurately reflects the work of the anesthesiologist during a kyphoplasty. Is it sufficient, or is there another anesthesia code we should be reporting instead?

Kansas Subscriber

Answer: Code 01936 (Anesthesia for percutaneous image guided procedures on the spine and spinal cord; therapeutic) is rather specific for an anesthesia code and is your best option for anesthesia administration during kyphoplasty. If you review the operative note and learn that the procedure was not percutaneous or that it involved manipulation of the spine or exceeded the scope of 01936 in some way, look to the 00600 (Anesthesia for procedures on cervical spine and cord …) code range instead.  


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