Anesthesia Coding Alert

REader Question:

Report Reintubation With 31500

Question: Our anesthesiologist performed an emergency intubation one day, then had to exchange it the next day because the ETT (endotracheal tube) cuff was leaking. How should I code the second day's service?

New York Subscriber

Answer: Report the second day's service the same as the first -- with CPT 31500 (Intubation, endotracheal, emergency procedure). Even though the physician repeated the service, do not append modifier -59 (Distinct procedural service) because he inserted the tubes on different days.

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