Advanced Search

Anesthesia Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

VATS Code Hinges on 1-Lung Ventilation

Published on Sun Jun 18, 2006

Question: The patient's chart states, "VATS procedure with pleurodesis." What is VATS, and what anesthesia code applies?

New York Subscriber Answer: VATS is "video-assisted thoracoscopy," which is surgical code 32650 (Thoracoscopy, surgical; with pleurodesis). 
 
Your anesthesia code will depend on whether the physician used one-lung ventilation during the procedure.  

If so, you'll report 00541 (Anesthesia for thoracotomy procedures involving lungs, pleura, diaphragm, and mediastinum [including surgical thoracoscopy]; utilizing one-lung ventilation). If the anesthesiologist does not use one-lung ventilation, report 00542 (... decortication) instead.
 
Some coders consider reporting 00528 (Anesthesia for closed chest procedures; mediastinoscopy and diagnostic thoracoscopy not utilizing one-lung ventilation) or 00529 (... mediastinoscopy and diagnostic thoracoscopy utilizing one-lung ventilation) for this type of procedure. Codes 00541 and 00542 are better choices, however, because they represent surgical rather than diagnostic procedures.
 
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in your eNewsletter
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs*
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more
*CEUs available with select eNewsletters.

Other Articles in this issue of

Anesthesia Coding Alert

View All