Anesthesia Coding Alert
Special Circumstances Merit Better Choice Than 01967
Question: Most of our physicians report 01967 for vaginal deliveries. What is the difference between 01967 and 01960, and when should I use each code?
Louisiana Subscriber
Answer: Both 01960 (Anesthesia for vaginal delivery only) and 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]) are for vaginal deliveries.
Code 01967 is specific to neuraxial analgesia. Report this when your anesthesia provider places an epidural or administers spinal mediations during the course of the patient's labor. The service does not require a catheter. Report 01960 in other situations when the provider does not provide labor analgesia.
Example: The anesthesiologist might be called in for the delivery because the patient is in too much pain or the obstetrician is having problems. Instead of using an epidural, the provider might administer a spinal block or an injection to ease the patient's pain.
Recap: Report 01960 when the anesthesiologist is only involved during delivery. Report 01967 when he is involved with the patient's labor and delivery.
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