Anesthesia Coding Alert
Reader Question:
Report 01961 for Tubal Ligation During C-Section
Published on Mon Jun 16, 2014
Question: What is the correct way to bill the anesthesiologist’s time when the surgeon completed tubal ligation during a cesarean section?
Louisiana Subscriber
Answer: Anytime the surgeon completes multiple procedures during the surgical encounter, you report the one with the highest base value when you compare the associated anesthesia codes. In this case, you should submit 01961 (Anesthesia for cesarean delivery only) because the tubal ligation was completed in conjunction with the C-section instead of being a stand-alone procedure. Code 01961 has a base unit value of 7.
For the associated time, report the total anesthesia time (for both procedures) according to your payer’s policy.
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