Anesthesia Coding Alert
READER QUESTIONS:
Code Correctly for Finger Fracture
Published on Sat Feb 14, 2009
Question: My pain management physician performedan ulnar block to treat a finger fracture. What is the correct code for this block? Kansas Subscriber Answer: The coding for an isolated ulnar block is 64450 (Injection, anesthetic agent; other peripheral nerve or branch). If your physician provides the block for surgery, the anesthesia code for the surgical procedure should be used and base units and time billed as opposed to the flat fee of 64450. The ulnar nerve can be blocked at the wrist or elbow commonly, though it could be done anywhere during its course.
Other Articles in this issue of
Anesthesia Coding Alert
- Check Patient's Condition & Docs to Support Endoscopy Anesthesia Coverage
Establishing dual necessity unlocks reimbursement. If your anesthesiologist is having trouble getting Medicare reimbursement for [...] - Fix These Diagnosis Snafus to Snag Anesthesia/PM Pay
These steps help you hunt down reimbursement making V codes. Are you avoiding ICD-9s V [...] - Tally TPI Targets or Risk Miscoding Claim
4 steps to clarifying muscle injections. If youre a PM coder wanting to perfect your [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Graduate Nurses May Serve Medicare Members?
Question: I have a question regarding the 30-day rule for new providers. A nurse, who [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Code Correctly for Finger Fracture
Question: My pain management physician performedan ulnar block to treat a finger fracture. What is [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
CABG Calls for 00567
Question: I have a patient who had a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) (x2) and [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
KTP = Physician Shorthand for Laser Vaporization
Question: We have a patient diagnosed with benign prostate hyperplasia (600.21). My physicians notes indicate [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Use Crosswalk for Sternal Wire Removal
Question: What ASA code would you use for removal of sternal wires from a coronary [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
For Twin Delivery, Stick to Basics
Question: A charge states that a patient had a labor epidural with a start time [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Ankle Block for Femoral or Sciatic Nerve
Question: What is the correct pain block code for an ankle block using the femoral [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Two Lines Calls for 59
Question: When submitting more than one arterial line or central line, should I submit the [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Bill Spinal Block or Spinal and MAC?
Question: A physician performed a revision of the right hip. A spinal block was performed [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Don't Unbundle Capnography
Question: One of my physicians believes we can be separately reimbursed for the service CO2 [...] - You Be the Coder:
Can You Go Beyond OR for Start Time?
Question: A physician does not agree with my interpretation of start time. I believe start [...]
View All
