- Anesthesia Coding: Take These Steps for Accurate Anesthesia Service Formulation (Part 1) - (Oct 24, 2024)
Billing for base units is just the beginning. Are you new to anesthesia coding? Or are you looking for a flawless system to create denial-proof anesthesia claims? Either way, following the steps outlined in “How to Succeed With Coding and [...]
- Anesthesia Basics: Mind P Modifiers or Leave Money on the Table - (Apr 10, 2024)
Tip: Document the one that applies, even if you won’t be reimbursed. One aspect of anesthesia coding that sets it apart from other specialties is the use of physical status modifiers — also known as P modifiers — to help [...]
- Reader Questions: Learn What Makes Laboring Patients Eligible for Emergency Status - (Oct 09, 2023)
Question: Can we report an emergency status for labor epidural patients, and if so, is this done via a modifier or an anesthesia code? Nevada Subscriber Answer: Only under certain circumstances. It is not appropriate to bill an emergency status [...]
- You Be the Coder: Check Certain Details for Correct Coding of Canceled Cases - (Apr 11, 2023)
Question: How is the service performed by Dr. Marcus in a case canceled after induction of anesthesia reported to UnitedHealthcare? What is the appropriate anesthesia procedure code and modifiers, and how much anesthesia time is reported? Anesthesiologist: Dr. Marcus, personally performed [...]
- You Be the Coder: Up Your CRNA Billing Game With This Scenario - (Mar 09, 2023)
Question: What is the appropriate anesthesia procedure code and modifiers for Dr. Jones, and what is the appropriate anesthesia procedure code and modifiers for the CRNA? Anesthesiologist: Dr. Jones CRNA: Milton Gage Anesthesia: General Diagnosis: Bleeding, post-operative transurethral resection of bladder [...]
- Reader Questions: Improve Your Understanding of Physical Status - (Nov 14, 2022)
Question: Do you know if there is somewhere that gives a good description of what the different levels of physical status are? I’m trying to find something that would provide some guidance on how to classify the levels. I know the [...]
- Modifiers: Looking for Extra Reimbursement P Modifier Might Help Boost Your Bottom Line - (Feb 08, 2022)
Caveat: Only report these mods for payers who’ll reimburse. Physical status modifiers — also known as P modifiers — are unique to anesthesia coding and an important part of each claim you submit. Anesthesia providers assign P modifiers to designate [...]
- Obstetrics Coding: Cull Through the Choices to Clarify 01967 Usage - (Dec 09, 2021)
Plus: Confirm when – and if – you need +01968. With so many scenarios possible during obstetrical cases, correctly coding for the associated anesthesia services always has the potential to get tricky. That can be particularly true when deciding whether [...]
- Reader Questions: Document Qualifying Circumstances Even Without Reimbursement - (Dec 16, 2020)
Question: I am new to anesthesia billing and have learned that Medicare and Medicaid do not give any additional reimbursement for the physical status modifiers or for the qualifying circumstances add-on codes. Should we still be putting them on our [...]
- Anesthesia Update: Check These New Codes to Specify Patient Status - (Aug 04, 2020)
Hint: The code changes may affect patients’ physical status modifiers. CMS has released the 2021 diagnosis code changes, which go into effect Oct. 1, 2020. This year’s update includes 730 changes: 613 new additions, 52 revisions, 26 deletions, and 39 [...]