Advanced Search

Anesthesia Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Documentation Guides Whether You Can Report L&D Epidural Removal Time

Published on Wed Oct 10, 2012

Question: What amount of time should we include on the claim for epidural removal following delivery? Alabama Subscriber Answer: You can't default to a certain amount of time for epidural removal after delivery, because each case is different (including the fact that sometimes the nurse removes the epidural instead of waiting for the anesthesia provider). Remember: Catheter insertion includes removal, but if your provider documents the time it took to remove the epidural, you can include it in the total amount of "reported" time. You can use this approach if the carrier pays face-to-face time, such as Colorado Medicaid. If the provider doesn't document the removal time, you can't report it separately. Instead, simply report the applicable epidural insertion code, such as: 01967 -- Neuraxial labor analgesia/anesthesia for planned vaginal delivery (this includes any repeat subarachnoid needle placement and drug injection and/or any necessary replacement of an epidural catheter during labor) [...]
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