Anesthesia Coding Alert

READER QUESTIONS:

3 Codes for Lines and Procedure

Question: My anesthesiologist performed anesthesia with an A-line and CVP for a surgical procedure that included Dobhoff tube placement and sacral decubitus debridement. Which anesthesia codes may I bill? Georgia Subscriber Answer: The main procedure is 00300 (Anesthesia for all procedures on the integumentarys system, muscles and nerves of head, neck, and posterior trunk, not otherwise specified) with five base units plus time. Bill 36620 (Arterial catheterization or cannulation for sampling, monitoring or transfusion [separate procedure]; percutaneous) and either 36555 (Insertion of nontunneled centrally inserted central venous catheter; younger than 5 years of age) or 36556 ( ... age 5 years or older) along with 00300. The A-line (36620) and central line (36555) are separately payable if performed by your anesthesiologist. Note these non-routine monitoring services are reported with surgery codes and paid at flat fee. Time is not separately paid. -- Answers to You Be the Coder and Reader Questions [...]
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