Anesthesia Coding Alert
Reader Questions:
Intubation Coding Is Iffy
Published on Tue Jul 11, 2006
Question: The anesthesiologist left his case to assist another anesthesiologist with an intubation. Can he charge for this help?
Missouri Subscriber
Answer: Helping intubate a patient is usually a courtesy to the other practitioner and not generally billed separately. If, however, the anesthesiologist spent a substantial amount of time on the intubation -- and thoroughly documented his work -- some carriers might reimburse for the time spent helping or a reduced service.
If you have enough documentation to support the claim, report 31500 (Intubation, endotracheal, emergency procedure). Append modifier 52 (Reduced services) because this was not an emergency.
Other Articles in this issue of
Anesthesia Coding Alert
- Carrier Update:
Smooth UHC Claims Processing by Staying In-the-Know About Revisions
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Postprocedure Pain Consult
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Recoup Transforaminal Payments With '1' Indicator
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Find Success With Appeals, Not Sidetracked Claims
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Colon Procedure Code Depends on Technique
Question: What surgical and anesthesia codes apply to a colonoscopy with polypectomy?
Oklahoma Subscriber
Answer: The colon [...] - Reader Questions:
Occipital Lipoma Excision = 00300
Question: How should I report anesthesia during excision of an occipital lipoma?
Virginia Subscriber Answer: Report [...] - Reader Questions:
Report Procedure, Not Anesthesia Mode
Question: Our physician administered a lumbar plexus block and sciatic nerve block as his modes [...] - Reader Questions:
Most Diagnostic, Therapeutic TEEs Are Billable
Question: Our physician often uses TEE (trans-esophageal echocardiography) during cardiac anesthesia cases. The guidelines for [...] - Reader Questions:
Get Below 20 C for Hypothermia
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Check Crosswalk for Tubal Ligation
Question: How should I code for a hysteroscopic tubal ligation?
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Report 64640 for RF of Ilioinguinal Neuroma
Question: How should I code radiofrequency of an ilioinguinal neuroma?
Washington Subscriber Answer: When a [...] - Reader Questions:
Intubation Coding Is Iffy
Question: The anesthesiologist left his case to assist another anesthesiologist with an intubation. Can he [...] - Reader Questions:
Check With Physician on Chronic Pain Dx
Question: What is the best diagnosis code for chronic pain syndrome?
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Reprogramming Is Key to Pump Coding
Question: What code should I report when my pain management specialist checks a patient's infusion [...]
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