Advanced Search

Anesthesia Coding Alert

News You Can Use:

Verify Whether Your Local Rules Allow Non-supervised CRNA Work

Published on Sat Jan 01, 2011

States continue to opt out of CRNA supervision regulation.If you code for CRNA services, be sure you know your state's latest stance on whether CRNAs can administer anesthesia without medical supervision.Why: In November 2001, CMS established an option for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) to be exempt requiring physician supervision when administering anesthesia. Sixteen states have opted out of the requirement to date, with the most recent being California in October 2010. States opting out include:CaliforniaColoradoIowaNebraskaIdahoMinnesotaNew HampshireNew MexicoKansasNorth DakotaWashingtonAlaskaOregonMontanaSouth DakotaWisconsin."If the state opts out, then CRNAs may perform services without oversight of an anesthesiologist as long as their malpractice coverage and hospital delineation of privileges allows," explains Kelly Dennis, MBA, ACS-AN, CANPC, CHCA, CPC, CPC-I, owner of Perfect Office Solutions in Leesburg, Fla.When you submit claims for CRNA service without medical direction, append modifier QZ (CRNA service; without medical direction by a physician) to the anesthesia code. Otherwise, include the [...]
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in your eNewsletter
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs*
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more
*CEUs available with select eNewsletters.

Other Articles in this issue of

Anesthesia Coding Alert

View All