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Anesthesia Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Keep These Tips In Mind for +99140 Submission

Published on Mon Jun 11, 2012

Question: Our biller wants to report+ 99140 for the anesthesiologist's professional component in an emergency appendectomy. How and when should we report +99140? New Mexico Subscriber Answer: First, realize that no other type of provider can report +99140 (Anesthesia complicated by emergency conditions [specify] [List separately in addition to code for primary anesthesia procedure]). Second, note that +99140 is an add-on code that you must submit in conjunction with another CPT® anesthesia code instead of by itself. Definition: The ASA Relative Value Guide defines an emergency as "existing when delay in treatment of the patient would lead to a significant increase in the threat to life or body part." For example, a patient with a burst appendix presents an overwhelming risk of infection and complications if treatment is delayed. Remember that a case doesn't automatically qualify for +99140 simply because the patient came to the hospital through the Emergency Department. [...]
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