Anesthesia Coding Alert
Medicare Fees Will Remain at 2005 Amounts
Coders in every specialty received good news in early February: The House of Representatives had passed the budget bill, meaning the Medicare conversion factor (CF) would not change.
The CF will remain 37.8975, instead of the reduced rate of 36.1770 announced late last year.
At our newsletter's press time, President Bush still had not signed the bill but was expected to do so.
Signing the bill would make the change retroactive to include services beginning Jan. 1, 2006.
What should you do about those claims from early in the year that Medicare reimbursed at the lower rate?
Nothing -- which could be the best news for you as a coder.
CMS promised that carriers would be able to transition to the 2005 fee rates within two days after the legislation was enacted. Because of that, you won't need to refile claims to get correctly reimbursed.
Medicare carriers will calculate the amount they should reimburse you for early-year services and will repay you with a lump sum this summer.
Stayed tuned for more updates as the changes go into effect.
Anesthesia Coding Alert
- Extra Service Evaluation:
You Can Get Paid for Wake-up Tests -- Sometimes
Procedure details determine if you can report them separately Remembering a little-used modifier could be [...] - Definition Corner:
What Is a Wake-up Test?
A wake-up test detects any malfunction in the patient's spinal cord during surgery.
The anesthesiologist [...] - Medication Watchpoint:
Check High-Risk Meds to Help Your Nonstandard Claims
Long-term use can help justify MAC Details about a patient's medication history -- specifically his [...] - You Be the Coder:
Know When to Bill Intubations
Question: Our anesthesiologist dictated a separate operative note during a procedure stating, -fiberoptic intubation for [...] - Reimbursement Update:
Medicare Fees Will Remain at 2005 Amounts
Congress passes bill keeping conversion factor the same
Coders in every specialty received good news in [...] - Reader Questions:
Single Diagnosis Usually Fills the Bill
Question: How do I determine the correct diagnosis codes for billing anesthesia? Should I report [...] - Reader Questions:
Subsequent Code Applies to No-Go Surgery
Question: Our anesthesiologist performed a patient's presurgical assessment, but the surgeon canceled the procedure because [...] - Reader Questions:
Verify Emergency Care Before Filing as Such
Question: I-m doing some fill-in coding for an anesthesiologist who writes an -E- beside each [...] - Reader Questions:
EKG Readings Can Be Legitimate Charges
Question: The surgeon ordered a patient's EKG at our outpatient facility, and the anesthesiologist read [...] - Reader Questions:
2-Day Cases Might Need 2-Line Claims
Question: How should I report multiple line items for an anesthesia case that spans two [...] - Reader Questions:
Add 99100 for Infant's Lymphatic Excision
Question: How should I report anesthesia for -excision of a cervical cystic hygroma -- lymphangioma- [...] - Reader Questions:
Check Carrier Preference on Single-Shot Lumbar Block
Question: Our anesthesiologist administered a single-shot lumbar plexus block for postoperative pain management. How should [...] - Therapy Focus:
Botulinum Coding Is More Than Skin Deep
Botox helps relieve pain for many patients Pain management coders know that botulinum toxin (or [...] - You Be the Coder:
Pulsed RF With Dorsal Root, Nerve Blocks
Question: Our physician performed multi-level lumbar dorsal root ganglion and selected nerve root blocks with [...] - TOS Tip:
Get Up to Speed With Ins and Outs of Specialty Designations
Report the right service so claims fly through correctly Whether your physicians focus on a [...] - Reader Questions:
Muscle Count Is Key to TPI Coding
Question: How should I report bilateral trigger point injections in three locations for a Medicare [...] - Reader Questions:
Remember 59 With Post-Op Caudal Block
Question: What CPT code applies to a caudal block for postoperative pain management?
- Reader Questions:
Epidurals Aren't Just for Labor Patients
Question: When should I use epidural codes 62310-62319? Do they only apply to postoperative pain [...] - Reader Questions:
Multiple Injections Don't Always Mean Modifiers
Question: What modifiers should I report for a visit that includes a right shoulder injection, [...] - Reader Questions:
Document Digits for Tendon Injections
Question: How should I code tendon injections to both of the patient's thumbs and both [...] - Reader Questions:
64449 Is Best for Psoas Compartment Block
Question: How should I code a psoas compartment block?
Nevada Subscriber
Answer: Report a psoas compartment [...]
