| Anesthesia coding is a unique specialty in the world of | | | | anesthesia for patients with emergent conditions |
| medical coding which requires a special skill-set and | | | | brought about by head trauma and hematoma. |
| expertise in both the CPT coding paradigm and the | | | | • These patients have worsening neurological |
| ASA coding system. Considered as difficult and | | | | symptoms as well as systemic complications |
| mysterious, anesthesiology is the study and practice of | | | | associated with head trauma. |
| carrying out sedation or anesthesia to a living creature | | | | • Previously, anesthesia for evacuation of |
| in order to block or abate the pain. It is a necessary | | | | intracranial hematoma was reported with CPT codes |
| requirement for the coders to be aware of obstetric | | | | 00210 or 00212. |
| and surgical coding rules in addition to the | | | | 00567 Anesthesia for direct coronary artery |
| anesthesiology regulations. | | | | bypass grafting; with pump oxygenator |
| The need for expertise in anesthesia coding: | | | | • Code 00567 reports anesthesia for a coronary |
| Anesthesia coding is complex and the regulations | | | | bypass procedure. |
| change frequently, making accuracy and compliance a | | | | • Anesthesia codes previously were not |
| daily challenge. So, the submission of claims should be | | | | differentiated between procedures requiring a pump |
| accurate the first time as the legal and financial risks of | | | | oxygenator and those not requiring a pump |
| upcoding or undervaluation errors are enormous. | | | | oxygenator. |
| Hence, one should be aware of the latest changes, | | | | These were just a few examples of the latest |
| updates and trends in anesthesia coding. | | | | changes. For a coder, anesthesia coding throws open |
| Below are some of the recent year changes in CPT in | | | | many challenges. But you can overcome these |
| anesthesia coding | | | | challenges and update yourself on the latest 2010 |
| 00211 Anesthesia for intracranial procedures; | | | | anesthesia coding changes by attending various |
| craniotomy or craniectomy for evacuation of | | | | anesthesia coding conferences or by listening to audio |
| hematoma | | | | recordings in CDs and MP3s. |
| • This new code is more precise in reporting of | | | | |