Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: Can I report laboratory code CPT 85390 (Fibrinolysins or coagulopathy screen, interpretation and report) for a TEG (thromboelastogram)? Our physician wants to bill a commercial carrier for the procedure with modifier -26 (Professional component).

West Virginia Subscriber

Answer: Doctors use TEG as a monitor of anticoagulation, but not for diagnostic reasons. Because of this, most anesthesiologists view TEG as a blood gas and do not charge for it because the anesthesia global fee includes monitoring. If your anesthesiologist does use TEG for diagnosis and generates the required report, be prepared to justify it.