AMA CPT® Assistant - 2015 Issue 5 (May)
Anesthesia (Q&A) (May 2015)
May 2015 page 10a Anesthesia Question: Are services provided by an anesthesiologist for the management of nerve blocks, epidurals, or nerve sheath catheters on days subsequent to their placement separately reportable? Answer: Yes. The services provided for subsequent daily management of anesthetic administration (eg, time spent on pre- or post-op placement of the block) to the brachial plexus, lumbar plexus, and sciatic and femoral nerves are not included in the procedure code(s), and therefore, are separately reportable by means of an evaluation and management (E/M) code. However, when daily management of epidural or subarachnoid continuous drug administration is performed...
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Article Overview
This article reviews select anesthesia coding questions from CPT Assistant, focused on how certain follow-up management services are discussed for reporting and how an unlisted anesthesia service is handled when no specific CPT code is available. It is useful for anesthesia coders, billers, and compliance staff who need a quick read on the general scope of the guidance without the full premium content.
Why This Topic Matters
Anesthesia reporting can depend on whether a service is considered part of the original procedure or separately reportable, and this article highlights that distinction at a high level. It also signals when an unlisted CPT approach may be relevant for a service not directly described elsewhere in the code set.
Article Sections
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May 2015 page 10a
Introduces the monthly CPT Assistant page and frames the anesthesia-related questions addressed in the article.
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Anesthesia
Covers anesthesia coding questions related to follow-up management services and reporting of an anesthesia-related service not directly described in the CPT code set.
What You Will Learn
- The general scope of anesthesia Q&A guidance in CPT Assistant
- How the article frames reporting of follow-up anesthesia management
- How the article addresses an anesthesia service without a specific CPT code
- What kinds of documentation are discussed for an unlisted anesthesia report
Who Should Read This
- Anesthesia coders
- Medical billers
- Compliance staff
- Revenue cycle professionals
- Physician practice administrators
Codes Discussed
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