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Anesthesia Coding Alert

READER QUESTIONS:

Separate Diagnoses Help Multi Procedure Claims

Published on Tue Nov 01, 2005

Question: Should I have separate diagnoses when I code for a consult and a pain management procedure that results from the consult findings?


Louisiana Subscriber
Answer: Coding guidelines do not require you to report separate diagnoses to bill for both services. In fact, CPT states, -different diagnoses are not required for reporting of the procedure and the E/M services on the same date.- But having separate diagnoses usually helps smooth claims processing.
 
In addition, some coders recommend using a generic diagnosis supporting the office visit (such as back pain [724.x, Other and unspecified disorders of back] or stenosis [724.0x, Spinal stenosis, other than cervical]) and a more specific diagnosis (such as spondylolisthesis [756.12]) for the procedure.
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