Urology Coding Alert

Question: One of my doctors is asking if we can bill for the instillation of an anesthetic into the bladder specifically before a surgical procedure. If so what code would be used and does this get reimbursed?

Ohio Subscriber

Answer: By coding policy, any and all anesthesia by the surgeon — whether it be preoperative or postoperative anesthesia administered — is included in the operative procedure itself. 

In this scenario the surgeon is applying local topical anesthesia to the bladder before a surgical bladder procedure, and this anesthesia is included in the surgery and not separately billable or payable.