Wiki ASC pre procedure treatment for cancelled procedures

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Our consultant is telling us that we can bill for the treatment we have provided in the pre-op area when a procedure has been cancelled, since we will not be billing a procedure code. If the procedure is cancelled prior to sedation she stated there is a code to bill for the general work up that was performed (vitals, etc). If the procedure is billed after sedation but prior to the procedure she stated there is a code for that. If anyone has this information on which codes or even if this is billable, please let me know. thanks,
 
I'm not sure about your other payers, but Medicare will not pay an ASC for a canceled procedure unless the patient has already been taken to the procedure room. Here are the guidelines from the Medicare Claims Processing Manual:

A. Contractors deny payment when an ASC submits a claim for a procedure that is terminated before the patient is taken into the treatment or operating room. For example, payment is denied if scheduled surgery is canceled or postponed because the patient on intake complains of a cold or flu.

B. Contractors pay 50 percent of the rate if a surgical procedure is terminated due to the onset of medical complications after the patient has been prepared for surgery and taken to the operating room but before anesthesia has been induced or the procedure initiated (use modifier 73). For example, 50 percent is paid if the patient develops an allergic reaction to a drug administered by the ASC prior to surgery.... Facilities use a 73 modifier to indicate that the procedure was terminated prior to induction of anesthesia or initiation of the procedure.

C. Contractors make full payment of the surgical procedure if a medical complication arises which causes the procedure to be terminated after anesthesia has been induced or the procedure initiated (use modifier -74). For example, A/B MACs (B) make full payment if, after anesthesia has been accomplished and the surgeon has made a preliminary incision, the patient’s blood pressure increases suddenly and the surgery is terminated to avoid increasing surgical risk to the patient. In this case, the resources of the facility are consumed in essentially the same manner and to the same extent as they would have been had the surgery been completed. Facilities use a 74 modifier to indicate that the procedure was terminated after administration of anesthesia or initiation of the procedure.
 
Thank you for the information. We were also wanting to know if an E/M code can be billed if the procedure is cancelled in pre-op by the physician due to medical reasons. I know that the physician will need to dictate a note. Will a modifier be required with the E/M code if we are able to bill this? thanks
 
I agree with what was previously mentioned.

Regarding the pre-op work, I would consider that included with the procedure, even though it was canceled during/after this work, not separately billable. The intention was not to perform an E/M and make a decision for surgery; the intention was to prepare the patient for the procedure which had already been decided. But as previously stated, this may vary depending on your area's policies.
 
If the procedure is canceled in the pre op holding area after vitals have been taken because the patient's blood pressure is too high, do you have to keep the chart or any paperwork?
 
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