Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: How should I code for a hysteroscopic tubal ligation?

Maryland Subscriber

Answer: Coders sometimes ask whether to report these procedures with 00851 (Anesthesia for intraperitoneal procedures in lower abdomen including laparoscopy; tubal ligation/transaction) or 00952 (Anesthesia for vaginal procedures [including biopsy of labia, vagina, cervix or endometrium]; hysteroscopy and/or hysterosalpingography).
 
The surgeon will report either 58600 (Ligation or transaction of fallopian tube[s], abdominal or vaginal approach, unilateral or bilateral) or 58605 (Ligation or transaction of fallopian tube[s], abdominal or vaginal approach, postpartum, unilateral or bilateral, during same hospitalization [separate procedure]). Both of these codes cross to anesthesia code 00851, so that is your best choice.