Anesthesia Coding Alert

In the article Frequently Asked Questions for Billing Medical Direction Cases on page 6 of the November 1999 Anesthesia Coding Alert, question 3 had a partially incorrect answer.

The question was An anesthesiologist is directing several anesthetists employed by the group. At the end of the day, when only one case is still under way, the medically directing anesthesiologist relieves the one remaining anesthetist and finishes the case personally. Should the case be billed as medically directed, personally performed or split between the two?

The answer stated, A case cannot be billed as personally performed (-AA) unless it is entirely performed by the billing anesthesiologist. Therefore, the case should be billed as medically directed (-AB).

Clarification: The -AB modifier as listed in HCPCS 1999 says Medical direction of own employee(s) by anesthesiologist (not more than four employees). Medically directed Medicare cases, however, should use the modifiers -QK (medical direction of two, three or four concurrent anesthesia procedures involving qualified individuals) and -QY (anesthesiologist medically directs one CRNA) instead.

We apologize for the misstatement and hope this clarification helps.