Anesthesia Coding Alert
You Can Code PCEA Initiation and Follow-Up
Georgia Subscriber
Answer: Code the initial PCEA (patient-controlled epidural analgesia) placement with either 62318 (Injection, including catheter placement, continuous infusion or intermittent bolus, not including neurolytic substances, with or without contrast [for either localization or epidurography], of diagnostic or therapeutic substance[s] [including anesthetic, antispasmodic, opioid, steroid, other solution], epidural or subarachnoid; cervical or thoracic) or 62319 (... lumbar, sacral [caudal]), depending on the catheter placement.
You also can code the daily management with 01996 (Daily hospital management of epidural or subarachnoid continuous drug administration). Include an appropriate aftercare diagnosis, such as V58.49 (Other specified aftercare following surgery). But be aware that Medicare often denies claims for follow-up daily management. Because you're working with a commercial carrier instead, you have a better chance of receiving payment.
Anesthesia Coding Alert
- Compliant Coding:
Monitor 3 Trap-Prone Areas to Stop Upcoding Errors in Their Tracks
Check your base units to avoid audit troubles
Even if upcoding claims (miscoding procedures and bringing [...] - Coding Checkpoint:
Quick Tips to Avoid Upcoding Errors
Reading descriptor details helps keep claims clean
You can take steps to help reduce the upcoding [...] - CPT Update:
AMA Releases Updates to 2006 Codes
Change your parenthetical notes for 01991-01995
The AMA recently published CPT 2006 Errata, which gives a [...] - Pain Management Corner:
J Codes Are Your Key When Coding Botulinum
Check billing units and vials before submitting claims
If your pain management provider purchases botulinum medication, [...] - You Be the Coder:
Know When to Bill Multiple A-Lines
Question: Can we bill for two arterial (A-line) insertions during the same surgery?
Texas Subscriber
Answer: [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
You Can Code PCEA Initiation and Follow-Up
Question: How should I code PCEA initiation for a commercial carrier? Can I code additional [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Consider 01922 or 00120 for Auditory Test
Question: Our physician administered general anesthesia while a 16-month-old child underwent auditory stimulation and electrical [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Watch Documentation Before Coding Consult
Question: Our anesthesiologist noted he performed a postoperative pain consultation and inserted an epidural following [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Report 00940 for Episiotomy Repair
Question: How should I code an episiotomy repair done under general anesthesia after the woman [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Don't Forget 3-Year Rule for New Consults
Question: A physician in another practice asked our pain specialist to perform a patient consult. [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Only Report CP Block for Post-Op Pain
Question: Our physician used general anesthesia during a patient's carotid endarterectomy, but also administered a [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
00860 Is Better Code for TVT Surgery
Question: What anesthesia code should I use for TVT (transvaginal taping) surgery? Some physicians report [...]
