Anesthesia Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

3 EEG Codes Include Anesthesia

Question: Some of our anesthesia providers will bill an EEG (CPT 95955) when performed, but we have a new anesthesiologist who also bills 95812 or 95813 in addition to 95955. Is this allowed? New Mexico Subscriber Answer: Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) edits show that the three codes you mention include anesthesia services: 95812 (Electroencephalogram [EEG] extended monitoring; 41-60 minutes), 95813 (... greater than one hour) and 95955 (Electroencephalogram [EEG] during nonintracranial surgery [i.e., carotid surgery]). The American Society of Anesthesiologists' Relative Value Guide also supports this position, stating that "usual" and "noninvasive" monitoring is included in the base value of anesthesia services. Unless your physician has contractual arrangements that allow him to bill EEG during surgery, billing these bundled services separately isn't advisable.
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