Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: Our anesthesiologist included several diagnoses on a chart: 786.01, 300.11, and 306.1. What procedure might be indicated?

Answer: Pay attention to your diagnosis coding exclusions, as noted in ICD-9. Diagnoses 786.01 (Hyperventilation) excludes 306.1 (Hyperventilation, psychogenic), so begin by determining the more accurate diagnosis. Diagnosis 300.11 (Conversion disorder) does not indicate a procedure, but might be a diagnosis to support medical necessity.

These diagnoses alone are not sufficient to determine a procedure, although they may point to the possibility of a ventilation study. Discuss the case with your provider to verify the service he provided. If he assisted with a vent study, start with 78999 (Unlisted miscellaneous procedure, diagnostic nuclear medicine). Code 78999 crosses to anesthesia code 01922 (Anesthesia for non-invasive imaging or radiation therapy), which is worth seven base units.