Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: We had a patient scheduled for a colonoscopy with biopsy who experienced an episode of syncope in the pre-op area while the nurse was placing an IV. The physician cancelled the procedure. Which anesthesia code and modifier I should use to describe this?Answer: Start by checking whether your payers have specific guidelines for reporting canceled cases. If the physician cancels the procedure after the patient is prepared for surgery but before induction begins, the payer may ask you to report 01999 (Unlisted anesthesia procedure[s]) with modifier 53 (Discontinued procedure). Other payers might require the correct anesthesia code for the intended procedure plus modifier 53.Note: The full definition for modifier 53 indicates not to report it for the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to induction. Some insurance companies, however, may request the modifier despite that direction.Include reports and additional notes in box 19 or the electronic equivalent (such as [...]