Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: Thanks for your article on billing anesthesia services last month. Regarding medical supervision, if a CRNA, who is not being medically directed, signs the pre-anesthesia evaluation, does the anesthesiologist also need to sign? Where can I find this information?

Georgia Subscriber

Answer: If the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is not being medically directed, there is no specific billing requirement that an anesthesiologist co-sign the pre-op evaluation. CRNAs are qualified to perform both pre-anesthesia and post-anesthesia evaluations without having a physician co-sign.

Keep in mind: Depending on the facility, state, and malpractice carrier, a supervising anesthesiologist’s signature may be required.

You can check with each facility, the state board of nursing, and your practice’s malpractice carrier to verify what’s needed.