Anesthesia Coding Alert
Rely on 01967 for Some C-Sections
Question: The anesthesiologist saw a patient for cesarean section due to failure to progress. The chart does not mention a labor epidural or a catheter already in place. How do I code the case?
Washington Subscriber
Answer: Coding for this case hinges on the documentation you are holding. Even though "failure to progress" sounds as if the patient tried normal labor first, the attempt at normal labor is not documented. Considering this - and because you also have no documentation of a catheter - your best option is to code with 01961 (Anesthesia for cesarean delivery only).
If you had documentation of a catheter, you instead would report 01967 (Neuraxial labor analgesia/anesthesia for planned vaginal delivery [this includes any repeat subarachnoid needle placement and drug injection and/or any necessary replacement of an epidural catheter during labor]), with add-on code +01968 (Anesthesia for cesarean delivery following neuraxial labor analgesia/anesthesia [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure performed]). Some coders recommend you also include 660.6x (Failed trial of labor, unspecified) as the diagnosis code on the claim. Add the correct fifth digit of 0, 1 or 3 to describe the current episode of care.
Anesthesia Coding Alert
- E/M Coding Focus:
Rely on These 4 Criteria to Correctly Report 99211 Cases
Watch out: Use this code as a catch-all and prepare to see your reimbursement-and compliance-plummet
The [...] - Self-Check:
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Report Doppler Separate From TEE Placement
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Focusing your energy on coding TEE probe placements [...] - You Be the Coder:
Determine Groshong Removal Code
Question: What is the correct code for removal of a Groshong catheter?
New Jersey Subscriber
[...] - Diagnosis Details:
Use Your Carrier's Policy to Demystify TEE Justification
Hint: You need to include these detailed diagnosis codes
The next time you find yourself coding for [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Code 01967 for Transferred Labor Patient
Question: Our anesthesiologist began an epidural for a labor patient and periodically monitored her for [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Think Before Appending AA to All Claims
Question: Is it appropriate to append modifier AA to all claims for services the anesthesiologist [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Rely on 01967 for Some C-Sections
Question: The anesthesiologist saw a patient for cesarean section due to failure to progress. The [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Verify Bier Block's Purpose
Question: The anesthesiologist administered a Bier block during a carpel tunnel release. Do we report [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Check for This Resident Ratio
Question: What guidelines exist regarding the ratio of teaching anesthesiologists to residents in a teaching [...] - NCCI Edit Update:
Be Careful: The Rules for Reporting Injections Have Changed
These common pain management procedures now include 3 popular G codes
The National Correct Coding Initiative [...] - Details Count:
Steer Clear of These Traps When You're Reporting SI Joint Radiofrequency
Hint: Location is key when determining correct codes
"Performed radiofrequency (RF) to the patient's sacroiliac joint" [...] - You Be the Coder:
Coding Lumbar Plexus Injection-Not Infusion
Question: How do I bill a single lumbar plexus injection instead of continuous infusion? - Pain Management Tip:
Balance Your Numbers of Diskograms and Interpretations
Don't let unequal reporting cost you reimbursement
The use of diskograms versus MRI scans and other [...] - Terminology Tip:
Be Clear on 'Diskography' vs 'Diskogram'
Some people use the words "diskogram" and "diskography" interchangeably, but the terms actually represent different [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Double-Check Notes for Multi-Injection Encounter
Question: Our pain physician performed a lumbar epidural steroid injection (LESI) and SI joint injection [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Select TPI Code Based on Numbers
Question: How would I code a visit that included a trigger point injection and epidurography? [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Report TPI Codes for Piriformis Injection
Question: Our physician injected the patient's piriformis muscle because it was in a spasm and [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Submit V58.89 as Post-op Diagnosis
Question: Several carriers deny our claims for brachial plexus blocks or other peripheral nerve injections [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Treat Pars Defect Injection as Facet Joint
Question: What code do I use for a pars defect injection (L5) under fluoroscopy? The [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Confirm Spinal Block Location for Fluoro Code
Question: Can I report fluoroscopy in conjunction with pain management blocks? If so, what code [...]
