Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: What is the correct anesthesia code for endovascular repair of a septal defect?

Maryland Subscriber

Answer: The correct code depends on several factors; we don't know the specifics of your case, so we'll make some up-front assumptions in our recommendations. First, this is either an atrial or ventricular septal defect. Second, the physician performed the procedure without a pump, induced hypothermia, etc. If this is the case, you should use 00560 (Anesthesia for procedures on heart, pericardial sac, and great vessels of chest; without pump oxygenator). Another option is 00520 (Anesthesia for closed chest procedures; [including bronchoscopy] not otherwise specified) because some carriers might be more likely to reimburse this as a closed procedure rather than an open one.

If the carrier requires surgical codes, there is not one specific for this. Consequently, you should use either 33999 (Unlisted procedure, cardiac surgery) 93799 (Unlisted cardiovascular service or procedure).

Answers for You Be the Coder and Reader Questions were reviewed by LaSeille Willard, CPC, of Anesthesia Consultants in Frederick, Md.; and Emma LeGrand, CCS, CPC, of New Jersey Anesthesia Associates in Florham Park.