Anesthesia Coding Guidelines Flashcards

Which qualifying circumstance code is used when anesthesia is provided for a patient of extreme age, such as a neonate?

Answer: 99100

Code 99100 is reported for anesthesia for patients of extreme age, including neonates and patients under 1 year or over 70 years.

A CRNA working under the medical direction of an anesthesiologist would use which modifier?

Answer: QX

Modifier QX is used by a CRNA with medical direction by a physician.

For anesthesia coding purposes, the total anesthesia time begins when?

Answer: When the anesthesiologist begins preparing the patient for induction

Anesthesia time starts when the anesthesiologist begins preparing the patient for the induction of anesthesia in the operating room area.

Which anesthesia code range covers procedures on the thorax (chest wall and shoulder girdle)?

Answer: 00400–00474

CPT codes 00400–00474 cover anesthesia for procedures on the integumentary system of the thorax and shoulder girdle.

When an anesthesiologist medically directs two concurrent cases, which modifier does the anesthesiologist use?

Answer: QY

Modifier QY is used when a physician medically directs one CRNA, while QK is used when directing 2–4 concurrent CRNA cases.

Controlled hypotension induced during anesthesia to reduce surgical bleeding is reported with which qualifying circumstance?

Answer: 99135

Code 99135 is used for anesthesia complicated by utilization of controlled hypotension.

Under the Medicare anesthesia payment formula, what does the conversion factor represent?

Answer: The dollar amount paid per anesthesia unit

The conversion factor is a dollar amount per anesthesia unit used to calculate the total anesthesia payment.