Anesthesia Coding Alert

Accurate billing depends on identifying the correct base-unit charge

To receive correct payment for field avoidance cases, you're going to have to do a little extra math before submitting these claims.
 
First, be sure to add the correct number of extra base units to the anesthesia code you'll report. You can charge 5 base units for cases that meet field avoidance criteria, even if the procedure normally has fewer base units (the lowest number of base units for any anesthesia procedure is 3, which means you'll either add 1 or 2 more units to reach a total of 5). Of course, if you're coding for a procedure that already has more than 5 base units, you would not add the extra units.
 
Next, add the correct amount to the bottom line. The physician's base fee determines what you charge for each procedure, so be sure to multiply his base fee by 5 when you report field avoidance.

Example: Fees vary by region and by anesthesia group, but let's use $75 as the unit charge. The surgeon performs a procedure that crosses to 01470 (Anesthesia for procedures on nerves, muscles, tendons and fascia of lower leg, ankle and foot; not otherwise specified). Code 01810 is a 3-base-unit procedure, so you would normally charge $225 plus time (3 base units x $75 = $225). If the case involves field avoidance, bill $375 plus time (5 base units x $75 = $375).