Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: What is a hybrid maze procedure? How should we code anesthesia for it?

Florida Subscriber

Answer: The hybrid maze uses an advanced ablation system and catheter-based pulmonary vein isolation for patients who might need more aggressive treatment for atrial fibrillation or who have a previously failed ablation.

The surgeon goes through the patient's diaphragm and does not open the chest. Therefore, your most appropriate anesthesia code would be 00537 (Anesthesia for cardiac electrophysiologic procedures including radiofrequency ablation).

Caution: Some payers classify the hybrid maze procedure as experimental and investigational unless the patient meets certain criteria. Be sure to verify your payer's policy so you know whether to expect coverage.