Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert
Anesthesiologists May Bill Moderate Sedation Codes With Nerve Blocks
Published on Tue Jul 24, 2007 
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If an anesthesiologist provides anesthesia for diagnostic or therapeutic nerve blocks or injections, and another provider performs the block or injection, then the anesthesiologist (or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist [CRNA]) can bill for the anesthesia service using 01991, according to new Transmittal 1316.
But if the anesthesiologist or CRNA performs both the anesthesia service and the block or injection, then the anesthesiologist/CRNA may use a moderate sedation code (99143-99145) and the injection/block code.
If the anesthesiologist/CRNA only performed a lower level complexity anesthesia service, you shouldn't use the moderate sedation code, CMS cautions.
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