Anesthesia Coding Alert
Radiofrequency With Bulging Disk
Question: How should I code radiofrequency lumbar facet rhizotomies with a diagnosis of bulging disk? Iowa Subscriber Answer: You should consider 64622 (Destruction by neurolytic agent, paravertebral facet joint nerve; lumbar or sacral, single level) and +64623 ( lumbar or sacral, each additional level [list separately in addition to code for primary procedure]) for lumbar levels. You might want to check if "bulging disk" is a covered diagnosis, because it isn't for some carriers. The covered diagnoses for this situation usually include spondylosis (721.x), facet syndrome (724.8, Other symptoms referable to back), postlaminectomy syndrome (722.8x) or spinal stenosis (723.0, Spinal stenosis in cervical region; or 724.0x, Spinal stenosis, other than cervical).
Anesthesia Coding Alert
- Pinpoint Injection Locations With Updated Codes
Coding for somatic nerve injections will get even easier when CPT Codes 2003 goes into [...] - Bier Blocks Are Common, So Code Them Correctly
Just because the Bier block is one of the most commonly performed regional anesthesia techniques [...] - You Be the Coder:
Radiofrequency With Bulging Disk
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the [...] - What Sets Bier Blocks Apart?
The anesthetic's delivery during a Bier block sets it apart from other anesthesia techniques. Usually, [...] - Indicator Modifiers Help Determine Correct TEE Coding
With quarterly Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) edits changing so many coding guidelines throughout the year, [...] - Release Reimbursement for Extended Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment
When reporting extended treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), make sure you document the treatment's [...] - Dont Let Coding for Migraine Treatment Give You a Headache
Because CMS provides a number of migraine and diagnosis codes, understanding their differences can lead [...] - Whiplash Treatment:
Knowing How to Submit Can Ease CodersPain
Coding for the diagnosis and treatment of whiplash is usually pretty straightforward, but there are [...] - Reader Questions:
Submitting for Sedation and Monitoring
Question: The physicians in our practice contract with an ambulatory surgery center (ASC). Sometimes they [...] - Reader Questions:
CRNA-Administered Epidural
Question: How should we bill for a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) who administers an [...] - Reader Questions:
Global Period for Joint Injection
Question: We have a pain patient who was seen for an injection with fluoroscopic guidance [...] - Reader Questions:
Phantom Limb Syndrome
Question: What is the diagnosis code for phantom limb, and what methods are used for [...] - Reader Questions:
Criteria for New Versus Established Patient
Question: In an outpatient setting, what are the criteria for a new versus an established [...] - Reader Questions:
E/M With Counseling
Question: Our physicians sometimes spend a lot of time counseling and explaining treatment options to [...] - Reader Questions:
Spinal Accessory Nerve Lesion and Long Thoracic Nerve Injury
Question: What are the ICD-9 codes for a spinal accessory nerve lesion and a long [...] - Reader Questions:
Understanding the Format of CPT Descriptors
Question: I work with a physician who feels that CPT 20550* (Injection; tendon sheath, ligament, [...] - Reader Questions:
Units for Endograft Repair
Question: I am coding for anesthesia during an endograft repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm [...] - Reader Questions:
Epidural and Spinal Anesthesia Combined
Question: I've received some charge sheets that have both "epidural" and "spinal" anesthesia circled during [...] - Reader Questions:
MAC for Extubation
Question: Is it possible to charge for an extubation procedure? The surgeon did the extubation, [...] - Cystoscopy Coding Correction
The May 2002 Anesthesia and Pain Management Coding Alert discussed coding for various procedures associated [...] - Reader Questions:
Lost Consciousness During MAC
Question: One of our CRNAs says that if the patient loses consciousness during a MAC [...] - Reader Questions:
Pain Management Diagnosis
Question: My CRNA (unsupervised) administered anesthesia for a bladder suspension for 625.6, Stress incontinence, female. [...] - Reader Questions:
Cesium Device Placement
Question: How should we code for placement of a cesium device for a patient with [...] - Reader Questions:
Endovascular Repair of Septal Defect
Question: What is the correct anesthesia code for endovascular repair of a septal defect? Maryland [...]
