Anesthesia Coding Alert
Remember That 01967 Is Specific to Obstetrics
Question: My surgeons have started using epidural anesthesia in lieu of general anesthesia for qualified hip and knee replacement candidates. I have confirmed with the anesthesia providers this is not a nerve block for pain in addition to the general anesthesia. Since epidural code 01967 is specific to obstetrics, what is the appropriate code to use for this anesthesia? Rhode Island Subscriber Answer: In the event that the epidural is used as the primary anesthetic, the coding process doesn’t change: ascertain the correct surgical code and crosswalk to the anesthesia code. Total hip replacement is reported with 27130 (Arthroplasty, acetabular and proximal femoral prosthetic replacement (total hip arthroplasty), with or without autograft or allograft), which crosses to anesthesia code 01214 (Anesthesia for open procedures involving hip joint; total hip arthroplasty). Total knee replacement is reported with 27447 (Arthroplasty, knee, condyle and plateau; medial AND lateral compartments with or without patella resurfacing (total knee arthroplasty)), which crosses to anesthesia code 01402 (Anesthesia for open or surgical arthroscopic procedures on knee joint; total knee arthroplasty). You are also correct in knowing that you should not 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)) in this situation since it is specific to vaginal delivery.
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