Advanced Search

Medicare Compliance & Reimbursement

Reader Question:

Know CRNA Choices for Colonoscopy

Published on Thu Jun 28, 2012

Question: Is a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) allowed to bill Medicare for anesthesia during a colonoscopy? Are there certain requirements?Answer: Yes, a CRNA can bill Medicare for colonoscopy, although several carriers do not recognize anesthesia as medically necessary for endoscopies. If you file a claim, the correct code depends on the type of sedation administered.For general anesthesia or monitored anesthesia care (MAC), report 00810 (Anesthesia for lower intestinal endoscopic procedures, endoscope introduced distal to duodenum). Reporting MAC is appropriate if the carrier recognizes that anesthesia service is medically necessary for the procedure or if you plan to bill the patient. If the payer requires MAC modifiers, append as applicable: QS (Monitored anesthesia care service), G8 (Monitored anesthesia care [MAC] for deep complex, complicated, or markedly invasive surgical procedure) or G9 (Monitored anesthesia care for patient who has history of severe cardiopulmonary condition).›› For moderate sedation, choose from 99148 (Moderate [...]
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

Medicare Compliance & Reimbursement

View All