Anesthesia Coding Alert
You Be the Coder:
Report This for Anesthesia During Nasogastric Tube Placement
Published on Mon Jul 12, 2021
Question: I bill for a pediatric hospital. A small child was brought to the OR and anesthetized to place the nasogastric tube. What is the most appropriate anesthesia code for surgical code 43752? California Subscriber Answer: Unfortunately, surgical code 43752 (Naso- or oro-gastric tube placement, requiring physician’s skill and fluoroscopic guidance (includes fluoroscopy, image documentation and report)) does not cross to an anesthesia code since anesthesia is typically not required for the service. Your best alternative is to submit 01999 (Unlisted anesthesia procedure(s)) with documentation supporting medical necessity for anesthesia in that situation.
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