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Anesthesia Coding Alert

READER QUESTIONS:

Think Before Appending AA to All Claims

Published on Sun Aug 21, 2005

Question: Is it appropriate to append modifier AA to all claims for services the anesthesiologist performs without help from the CRNA?


Rhode Island Subscriber
Answer: There are only three licensed providers of anesthesia care: physicians (and some dentists), CRNAs and AAs (anesthesia assistants). If the anesthesiologist works independently on the case - not with a CRNA, resident or other anesthesiologist - then modifier AA (Anesthesia services performed personally by anesthesiologist) applies to Medicare cases or for any carriers requesting that you use HCPCS codes and alpha modifiers. If he does not work independently on the case, do not report modifier AA.
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