Anesthesia Coding Alert
Reader Questions:
It's OK to Change EVLT Code
Published on Thu Sep 09, 2004
Question: Our physician performed anesthesia during endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) on the lower leg. The surgeon reported CPT 37799 (Unlisted procedure, vascular surgery), but I'm unsure of the anesthesia code. Answer: Surgical code 37799 crosses to the 10-unit anesthesia code 00350 (Anesthesia for procedures on major vessels of neck; not otherwise specified). However, you won't report this because the physician treated the patient's lower leg, not the neck. Report 01520 (Anesthesia for procedures on veins of lower leg; not otherwise specified) instead. This is only a 3-unit procedure, but is a much more accurate code. Remember that the Crosswalk gives us a lot of good information regarding appropriate anesthesia codes, but it's OK to report something other than the Crosswalk code if it fits the situation better.
Oklahoma Subscriber
Other Articles in this issue of
Anesthesia Coding Alert
- Modifier Know-How:
Understanding Discontinued Cases Can Make or Break Claims
Timing is everything for reporting modifier -53 When a surgical case is canceled, it's your [...] - Changes to ICD-9
Get Ready for ICD-9 2005: Changes to ICD-9 for 2005 will have little effect on [...] - Coding Checkpoint:
Test Your Canceled-Cases Skills
Hint: Details dictate how you report cases Many factors determine how you code anesthesia's involvement [...] - Carrier Update:
Check Your Pay for Fluoro Guidance With Spinal Injections
Will your carrier follow Aetna's lead? Aetna made a move this summer that was well [...] - You Be the Coder:
Check Diagnosis Code for Postpartum D&C
Question: Medicaid denies our claim for a case involving a D&C due to postpartum bleeding. [...] - Pain Management Focus:
Clearly Document Post-Op Pain Relief for 01996 Payments
These 3 steps lead to success The fees for global anesthesia codes include most of [...] - Reader Questions:
Report Conscious Sedation With Pain Procedures
Question: Can we code for conscious sedation during pain management procedures? If so, should we [...] - Reader Questions:
Use 00702 for CT-Guided Liver Biopsy
Question: Our physician provided anesthesia during a CT-guided liver biopsy. The procedure code crosses to [...] - Reader Questions:
Report 1 Code for Multiple Procedures
Question: Our physician provided anesthesia for periprosthetic capsulectomy of the breast. Should I append modifier [...] - Reader Questions:
64999 May Be Best for New On-Q Pain Pump
Question: What code should I report for the new On-Q pain pump?
Michigan Subscriber Answer: [...] - Reader Questions:
It's OK to Change EVLT Code
Question: Our physician performed anesthesia during endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) on the lower leg. The [...] - Reader Questions:
Watch NCCI Edits for Pump Refills
Question: Medicare denies our claims for reprogramming and refilling an implantable pump, saying that the [...] - Modifiers Make a Difference:
Performing 2 Services on the Same Date? Pick From These 3 Modifiers
Documentation explains the story, increases specificity Every coder knows that appending modifiers can help you [...] - Details Count:
Follow Strict Guidelines to Collect Modifier -25 Pay
These 3 checkpoints can help your Medicare claims Your pain management specialist conducted an E/M [...] - Carrier Update:
BC/BS Montana Adds Payable Diagnoses to Tendon Injections
Check your carriers' diagnosis code listings to ensure accuracy You're coding for accuracy, not for [...] - News You Can Use:
Watch Out for New ICD-9 Codes, Fluoro Guidelines
Upcoming changes - and retroactive ones - make a difference Expect an easy transition [...] - You Be the Coder:
Cryoablation for Neurolysis
Question: How should I code bilateral occipital neurolysis with cryoablation? Also, how should I code [...] - Reader Questions:
Purpose Dictates Regional Bretylium Block Code
Question: How should I code an extremity IV regional bretylium block for reflex sympathetic dystrophy?
Indiana [...] - Reader Questions:
Include Details for Post-Op Epidural
Question: Should I code daily management of a post-operative epidural differently if a CRNA performs [...] - Reader Questions:
Use 64517 for Superior Hypogastric Block
Question: Our physician performed a superior hypogastric nerve block procedure using two needles. How should [...] - Reader Questions:
Check With Carrier on 01991 and 01992
Question: We have some problems collecting payment when we report anesthesia services during a diagnostic [...] - Reader Questions:
Verify Diagnosis to Justify MAC
Question: Our anesthesiologist provided MAC (monitored anesthesia care) during lumbar radiofrequency ligation. He classified the [...] - Reader Question:
20600 Applies to Heel Spur Injection
Question: Which code should I use for a heel spur steroid injection?
Oregon Subscriber Answer: The [...] - Reader Questions:
64483 and 64484 Are for Lumbar Nerve Root Blocks
Question: What code should I use for a lumbar nerve root block?
Florida Subscriber
Answer: You should [...]
View All
