CPT code for the year 2014 doesn’t introduce any new category I codes in anaesthesia coding , but anaesthesia providers need to take care of the category II section. Here are some revisions that you need to incorporate in your practice:
· Patient Transfers Gets Two New Codes
Two new codes, 0581F (Patient transferred directly from anesthetizing location to critical care unit) and 0582F (Patient not transferred directly from anesthetizing location to critical care unit) has been incorporated in the category II section that will help to describe how the patient has been transferred to the critical care unit from the treatment location. These codes will help to understand the condition of criticality of the patient upon transfer of care and is looked upon as a new PQRS measure in anaesthesia coding.
Although these codes were implemented in 2013, they are being incorporated in the PQRS anaesthesia measurement codes in CPT 2014.
Although these codes were implemented in 2013, they are being incorporated in the PQRS anaesthesia measurement codes in CPT 2014.
· Anaesthesia Measure 193 Changes With The Introduction Of Four New Codes
Four new codes 4553F, 4555F, 4559F, 4560F has been added to category II codes that is a change to the present PQRS measure 193 for anaesthesia. Now this can end up being a little confusing because currently you report performance measurement codes 4250F-4256F for postoperative temperature management. But, since these codes will be very much effective and in use in 2014, their similarity to the new codes that have been introduced, it can lead to errors and denials. So you need to be very cautious while reporting these codes.
Experts believe that only detailed clarification for these new codes will enable accurate reporting of these codes. Additionally, your staff should follow anaesthesia PQRS updates annually to steer clear of errors.
· Take Note Of Hypothermia Code Changes
Two hypothermia codes in the category III section that were introduced in 2012 will now find a new place in category I this year.
Code 0260T will now be 99481 with the description total body systemic hypothermia in a crucially ill neonate per day and code 0261T will change to 99482 and will describe selective head hypothermia in a critically ill neonate per day.
But there is a word of caution associated with these codes. Although these CPT codes represent controlled hypothermia they are not intended for anesthesia providers. Experts warn that for hypothermia only codes for qualifying circumstances are used until and unless it is there in the base value of the anaesthesia code.
In case your provider uses hypothermia but it is not inherent to the anesthesia service, one can use 99116 in the claim. Using this particular code is safe and beneficial for your practice as it adds to your total five base units as the word demanded from your anaestheologist is also of a high level.
Although these changes are minor, one needs to be careful and stay updated with all the changes to keep your practice on track.
