Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: Our anesthesiologist placed a catheter for anesthetic at the lumbar plexus, and made visits to the patient for several days. Should I code 01996 or 64449?Wisconsin SubscriberAnswer: If the catheter placement was the only service the anesthesiologist provided, code with 64449 (Injection, anesthetic agent; lumbar plexus, posterior approach, continuous infusion by catheter [including catheter placement] including daily management for anesthetic agent administration). Global days were removed from code 64449 in 2009, and an Evaluation/Management code that meets the of service documented may be reported for the patient visits.Check it out: Before filing a claim for 64449, check with your payer to see if it publishes guidelines for continuous infusion. Some insurers consider these services medically unnecessary and/or investigational.Background: According to CPT Assistant (May 1999), reporting of plexus nerve catheter placement is based on: exclusion of other anesthesia service(s) performance of concomitant operative service(s) by same physician target nerve involved.If [...]