Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: Our anesthesiologist has begun using the Hemosonic 100. How should we bill for this, and what code should we use?

Michigan Subscriber

Answer: The Hemosonic 100 measures and monitors the descending aortic blood flow from which cardiac output is derived (the beat-to-beat aortic blood flow). If this equipment is medically necessary for the procedure, code it with 90940 (hemodialysis access flow study to determine blood flow in grafts and arteriovenous fistulae by an indicator dilution method, hook-up, measurement and disconnection). Append modifier -59 (distinct procedural service) and include notes explaining the situation to show that the Hemosonic 100 was medically necessary and separate from the anesthesia procedure.