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Anesthesia Coding Alert

Reader Question:

How to Code for Cancelled Surgery

Published on Thu Jan 24, 2008

Question: Our anesthesiologist provided the following information: Cataract Surgery on RT eye cancelled; Start Time: 0723; Stop Time: 0800. What is the appropriate cancelled surgery code?
Kentucky Subscriber Answer: The times documented for this procedure indicate the anesthesiologist had begun monitored anesthesia care (MAC). Providing your anesthesiologist was in constant attendance and the graph supports monitoring, bill 00142 (Anesthesia for procedures on eye; lens surgery) plus time involved. You can explain the cancellation by using diagnosis code V64.X (Persons encountering health services for specific procedures, not carried out). You would choose a fourth digit of either 1, 2, or 3, depending on the reason for cancellation. Remember: Place V64.X in the secondary position and the specific cataract code in primary.
You should also include the documentation on your claims as an extra precaution.
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