Anesthesia Coding Alert
Including LT and RT Can Help Cataract Claims
Question: Should I report modifiers LT and/or RT when coding anesthesia for cataract surgery? South Carolina Subscriber Answer: The answer depends partly on your payer and partly on the procedure timeframes. Some workers' compensation carriers, for example, require modifiers LT (Left side) and RT (Right side) on all cataract claims. Coders might include the modifiers with their claims to other payers to be one step ahead of the likely request for documentation. Why it helps: If the physician treats the second cataract during the first cataract's global period, the payer might deny your claim as a duplicate. Implementing a policy of always including modifier LT or RT might help keep you from battling future denials.
Anesthesia Coding Alert
- CPT Update:
2008 Brings Changes to Anesthesia During Image Guidance
Check out the new -- and deleted -- anesthesia codes to clear up your image [...] - Checkpoint:
Keep Your Eyes Open So Denials Become Successes
Tip: Focus on these 3 areas to turn your denial rate around If you've compiled [...] - You Be the Coder:
Reporting MAC With Moderate Sedation
Question: Our anesthesiologist administered monitored anesthesia care (MAC) while the surgeon performed transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) [...] - Scrutiny Heads-Up:
Interventional PM Procedures Move to OIG's Radar Screen
2008 Work Plan includes note of special interest to pain management If your physician provides [...] - Reader Questions:
Stone Location Guides Cysto-With-Litho Coding
Question: How should I code for anesthesia during a cystourethroscopy with lithotripsy for a diagnosis [...] - Reader Questions:
Reporting MAC During GI Procedures
Question: Our state board recently advised that a CRNA or anesthesiologist must administer and monitor [...] - Reader Questions:
Including LT and RT Can Help Cataract Claims
Question: Should I report modifiers LT and/or RT when coding anesthesia for cataract surgery? South [...] - Reader Questions:
Verify Extubation for Switch-Over Case
Question: Upon emergence, a hernia repair patient experienced cardiac arrest, so staff began CPR and [...] - Reader Questions:
'Unlisted' Could Be Best for SI Radiofrequency
Question: How should I bill radiofrequency for the S1, S2 and S3 nerves that innervate [...] - Reader Questions:
Use Caution With Massage Therapist's Service
Question: We're adding a massage therapist to provide myofascial release and massage therapy for pain [...] - Reader Questions:
Nerve Block
Question: How should I code a lateral cutaneous femoral nerve block? The physician noted 64450 [...]
