Advanced Search

Anesthesia Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Using Existing Epidural Means You Only Bill Time

Published on Tue Jul 26, 2011

Question: The obstetrician placed an epidural for labor and delivery, but the patient needed a c-section. Our anesthesiologist was called in for the c-section and used the already existing epidural for injecting additional anesthesia. How should I code the anesthesiologist's service?Florida SubscriberAnswer: This one is a little tricky because reporting the patient's conversion to a c-section when the obstetrician placed the epidural is hard to explain with the codes available. If the carrier allows, you may be able to report +01968 (Anesthesia for cesarean delivery following neuraxial labor analgesia/ anesthesia [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure performed]). Submit the claim with records showing that the obstetrician placed the epidural. You may bill the anesthesiologist's time for the c-section and the full value of code +01968 (which is 3 base units). However, since +01968 is an add-on code, your carrier may require that you report 01967 as a [...]
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