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Anesthesia Coding Alert

READER QUESTIONS:

You Can Code PCEA Initiation and Follow-Up

Published on Wed Mar 22, 2006

Question: How should I code PCEA initiation for a commercial carrier? Can I code additional management?


Georgia Subscriber
 

Answer: Code the initial PCEA (patient-controlled epidural analgesia) placement with either 62318 (Injection, including catheter placement, continuous infusion or intermittent bolus, not including neurolytic substances, with or without contrast [for either localization or epidurography], of diagnostic or therapeutic substance[s] [including anesthetic, antispasmodic, opioid, steroid, other solution], epidural or subarachnoid; cervical or thoracic) or 62319 (... lumbar, sacral [caudal]), depending on the catheter placement.

You also can code the daily management with 01996 (Daily hospital management of epidural or subarachnoid continuous drug administration). Include an appropriate aftercare diagnosis, such as V58.49 (Other specified aftercare following surgery). But be aware that Medicare often denies claims for follow-up daily management. Because you're working with a commercial carrier instead, you have a better chance of receiving payment. 
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