- 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: 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 [...]
- 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 [...]
- Code Update: Look for New Diagnosis Codes That Can Help Specify Patient Status - (Jul 13, 2020)
ICD-10-CM 2021 has a few revisions you might find handy. CMS has released diagnosis code changes for the 2021 edition of ICD-10-CM, effective Oct. 1, 2020. You’ll find a total of 730 changes: 613 new additions, 52 revisions, 26 deletions, [...]
- Anesthesia Basics: Follow This Guidance to Better Understand P Modifiers - (Dec 13, 2019)
Tip: Document the one that applies, even if you won’t be reimbursed. Physical status modifiers help explain a patient’s health condition to insurers and better document the work an anesthesia provider does. The Anesthesia Guidelines in CPT® include the six [...]
- Reader Question: 01990 Represents Anesthesia Support During Organ Harvest - (Jun 13, 2019)
Question: The anesthesiologist was present when a patient who had been declared brain-dead was taken to surgery for harvesting of several organs and tissues. What diagnosis and anesthesia codes apply to the procedure? Connecticut Subscriber Answer: You might want to [...]
- Modifier Usage: Use Higher-level P Modifiers to Support Your Provider's Work in Special Cases - (Sep 14, 2017)
One of the first things anesthesia coders learn is the importance of including physical status modifiers (or P modifiers) on claims to document the patient's health status when entering surgery. Although P modifiers are considered informational and won't always affect [...]