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Anesthesia Coding Alert

Reader Question:

MAC for Caudal Epidural Blocks

Published on Sat Dec 01, 2001

Question: Which anesthesia code and modifier should I use for monitored anesthesia care (MAC) for caudal epidural blocks?

Missouri Subscriber  
Answer: The correct surgical code is 62282* (injection/infusion of neurolytic substance [e.g., alcohol, phenol, iced saline solutions], with or without other therapeutic substance; epidural, lumbar, sacral [caudal]). The anesthesiologist reports the procedure with 00630 (anesthesia for procedures in lumbar region; not otherwise specified) or 00300 (... all procedures on the integumentary system, muscles and nerves of head, neck, and posterior trunk, not otherwise specified), depending on his practice. It is unusual to sedate someone for a caudal block. However, if anesthesia was used so the surgeon could administer the block, add modifier -QS (monitored anesthesia care service), provided this is truly MAC service, or -23 (unusual anesthesia), and include documentation of medical necessity.
 
Reader Questions and You Be the Coder answered by Pam Marshall, CPC, and Tammy Caldwell, CPC, Northern Colorado Professional Services in Ft. Collins, Colo.; and Mary Klein, CPC, Panhandle Medical Services in Pensacola, Fla.
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