Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: I've heard different interpretations regarding certification guidelines for an anesthesiologist doing echocardiography. Some sources say the anesthesiologist has to be certified through the facility that where he is working. I've also heard he has to have some form of national certification. Does the anesthesiologist have to be certified to do the procedure? And if he performs the exam, what codes would I use? Iowa Subscriber Answer: Assuming your physician is credentialed to perform an echocardiography procedure, you might use 93312 (Echocardiography, transesophageal, real-time with image documentation [2D] [with or without M-mode recording]; including probe placement, image acquisition, interpretation and report), and use the crosswalk anesthesia code 01922 (Anesthesia for non-invasive imaging or radiation therapy). Physicians and nurses have a "Delineation of Privileges" that outlines what procedures they are allowed to perform in facilities and/or offices based on training and skills. This is part of their credentialing process. In order to [...]