Anesthesia Coding Alert
Cesium Device Placement
Question: How should we code for placement of a cesium device for a patient with cervical cancer? Some of our carriers require surgical CPT codes, and some want anesthesia codes. North Dakota Subscriber Answer: You should report this procedure with 58346 (Insertion of Heyman capsules for clinical brachytherapy). If the carrier wants anesthesia codes, you should use 00952 (Anesthesia for vaginal procedures [including biopsy of labia, vagina, cervix or endometrium]; hysteroscopy and/or hysterosalpingography), which has a base value of 4.
Some carriers prefer 57155 (Insertion of uterine tandems and/or vaginal ovoids for clinical brachytherapy), which crosses to anesthesia code 00940 (Anesthesia for vaginal procedures [including biopsy of labia, vagina, cervix or endometrium]; not otherwise specified). Ask the specific carrier whether it wants surgical or anesthesia codes and which surgical code it prefers.
Anesthesia Coding Alert
- Pinpoint Injection Locations With Updated Codes
Coding for somatic nerve injections will get even easier when CPT Codes 2003 goes into [...] - Bier Blocks Are Common, So Code Them Correctly
Just because the Bier block is one of the most commonly performed regional anesthesia techniques [...] - You Be the Coder:
Radiofrequency With Bulging Disk
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the [...] - What Sets Bier Blocks Apart?
The anesthetic's delivery during a Bier block sets it apart from other anesthesia techniques. Usually, [...] - Indicator Modifiers Help Determine Correct TEE Coding
With quarterly Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) edits changing so many coding guidelines throughout the year, [...] - Release Reimbursement for Extended Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment
When reporting extended treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), make sure you document the treatment's [...] - Dont Let Coding for Migraine Treatment Give You a Headache
Because CMS provides a number of migraine and diagnosis codes, understanding their differences can lead [...] - Whiplash Treatment:
Knowing How to Submit Can Ease CodersPain
Coding for the diagnosis and treatment of whiplash is usually pretty straightforward, but there are [...] - Reader Questions:
Submitting for Sedation and Monitoring
Question: The physicians in our practice contract with an ambulatory surgery center (ASC). Sometimes they [...] - Reader Questions:
CRNA-Administered Epidural
Question: How should we bill for a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) who administers an [...] - Reader Questions:
Global Period for Joint Injection
Question: We have a pain patient who was seen for an injection with fluoroscopic guidance [...] - Reader Questions:
Phantom Limb Syndrome
Question: What is the diagnosis code for phantom limb, and what methods are used for [...] - Reader Questions:
Criteria for New Versus Established Patient
Question: In an outpatient setting, what are the criteria for a new versus an established [...] - Reader Questions:
E/M With Counseling
Question: Our physicians sometimes spend a lot of time counseling and explaining treatment options to [...] - Reader Questions:
Spinal Accessory Nerve Lesion and Long Thoracic Nerve Injury
Question: What are the ICD-9 codes for a spinal accessory nerve lesion and a long [...] - Reader Questions:
Understanding the Format of CPT Descriptors
Question: I work with a physician who feels that CPT 20550* (Injection; tendon sheath, ligament, [...] - Reader Questions:
Units for Endograft Repair
Question: I am coding for anesthesia during an endograft repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm [...] - Reader Questions:
Epidural and Spinal Anesthesia Combined
Question: I've received some charge sheets that have both "epidural" and "spinal" anesthesia circled during [...] - Reader Questions:
MAC for Extubation
Question: Is it possible to charge for an extubation procedure? The surgeon did the extubation, [...] - Cystoscopy Coding Correction
The May 2002 Anesthesia and Pain Management Coding Alert discussed coding for various procedures associated [...] - Reader Questions:
Lost Consciousness During MAC
Question: One of our CRNAs says that if the patient loses consciousness during a MAC [...] - Reader Questions:
Pain Management Diagnosis
Question: My CRNA (unsupervised) administered anesthesia for a bladder suspension for 625.6, Stress incontinence, female. [...] - Reader Questions:
Cesium Device Placement
Question: How should we code for placement of a cesium device for a patient with [...] - Reader Questions:
Endovascular Repair of Septal Defect
Question: What is the correct anesthesia code for endovascular repair of a septal defect? Maryland [...]
