Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: Our anesthesiologist worked on a procedure for the arthroscopic release of adhesions to a patient's shoulder that included manipulation. What do I need to include to code correctly for this?

Georgia Subscriber

Answer: Start with finding the code for the procedure to release the patient's "frozen shoulder," as this condition is also known, because a lack of synovial fluid prevents the subject's shoulder from moving properly.

For this procedure, choose 29825 (Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; with lysis and resection of adhesions, with or without manipulation).

Your anesthesiologist's part of the equation is covered by 01630 (Anesthesia for open or surgical arthroscopic procedures on humeral head and neck, sternoclavicular joint, acromioclavicular joint and shoulder joint; not otherwise specified), which is five units.

The diagnosis is the easy part. You'll use 726.0 (Adhesive capsulitis of shoulder).

Experts note: Anesthesia codes are based by area -- and you only receive reimbursement for the highest initial procedure for one of them, so you only need to code for the highest-based procedure. Coding first for

the highest-based procedure is always key. Coding for a lower-based procedure can reduce your reimbursement.