Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: I have documentation from my anesthesiologist who performed a service for surgical codes 22554 and +22840. Which code should I use to crosswalk? Texas Subscriber Answer: Code +22840 (Posterior non-segmental instrumentation [e.g., Harrington rod technique, pedicle fixation across one interspace, atlantoaxial transarticular screw fixation, sublaminar wiring at C1, facet screw fixation] [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure]) is an add-on code, so surgical coders may not report the code by itself on a claim. You must report it with the primary procedure -- in this case, 22554 (Arthrodesis, anterior interbody technique, including minimal discectomy to prepare interspace [other than for decompression]; cervical below C2). Caution: Usually, you use the anesthesia code that crosses to a primary procedure rather than a code that crosses to an add-on procedure, but don't assume this is always the right thing to do. Instead of instructing you to go directly to the [...]