Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: How should we code when our anesthesiologist provides MAC while another physician (in another practice group) administers cervical or lumbar epidurals? The procedure codes cross to 02100 (Anesthesia for diagnostic or therapeutic nerve block or injection), but this isn't accepted because it is not in CPT. North Carolina Subscriber Answer: Since code 02100 is not in CPT, many carriers will not accept it. Instead, several other codes are viable options for this situation. Code 00820 (Anesthesia for procedures on lower posterior abdominal wall) is listed as an alternative code and carries a base value of 5. Code 00600 (Anesthesia for procedures on cervical spine and cord; not otherwise specified) with a base value of 10 and code 00630 (Anesthesia for procedures in lumbar region; not otherwise specified) with a base value of 8 are also usually accepted. Reimbursement for this in many states can be hit or miss, so ask the carrier in question which is preferred. You Be the Coder and Reader Questions were reviewed by Sherry Coughlin, medical biller with the physician group West Florida Anesthesia and Pain Management in Spring Hill, Fla.