Wiki Coding for Blocks done by CRNA

[leah6911@aol.com]

Hi,

I have a client who is a CRNA running her own practice - she went to a block seminar last weekend and was told we could bill times for anesthesia block outside the OR. In all my years of coding blocks for anesthesia weather it was MDA/CRNA preforming a post op pain block - I never billed times. Does anyone know if this is new, and we can bill times? Also, she was told to use the 51 modifier on secondary post op pain block - has anyone does this before? I want to make sure I am coding correctly for these blocks. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[LisaAlonso23]

If the CRNA does a block, you would not bill for the time you would only bill for the block.

The 51 modifier is sometimes used for additional blocks with some insurance, but it's not used across the board. I know that CA Medicaid requires the 51 and the 59 modifiers on secondary blocks. You need to check your payors.

I strongly suggest asking for any documentation the CRNA received from the seminar. Often times, they don't get all information or understand what they hear. I once had an anesthesiologist tell me things he learned from a surgeon regarding coding that didn't apply to anesthesia coding at all.

 

[jkyles]

Thanks for the heads up on this. Improper advice is more contagious than a cold.

Unfortunately sometimes the person who gave the information is just wrong. The worst is when it comes from another provider who thinks the fact that they got paid for doing something means it is OK, when in fact they just haven't been caught yet.