Anesthesia / Coding Challenge / modifier 59

Anesthesia Coding Education: Sciatic Nerve Block & Same-Day General Anesthesia

Question: My anesthesiologist performed a sciatic nerve block for a patient with postoperative pain on the same day he provided general anesthesia for that patient’s knee surgery. How should I code this? Answer: Use modifier 59 (Distinct procedural service) when you need to show that your physician performed two distinct services on the same day. When [...] Related articles:

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October 21, 2009
Coder's Cranium

ASC Coding Education: Knee Diagnoses & Procedures

Choose this ICD-9 code if you see ‘jumper’s knee’ in the orthopedic surgeon’s note. Here’s a handy introduction to common ICD-9 codes related to the knee, along with examples of CPT codes for procedures physicians perform to treat knee diagnoses. Chondromalacia Patella Chondromalacia patella (717.7) is also known as “patellofemoral syndrome” or “runner’s knee.” This condition results when [...] Related articles:

  1. Orthopedic Coding Quick Start Guide: ASC Shoulder ProceduresShoulder ICD-9 and CPT codes you’ll most likely see in...
  2. Test Yourself: Total Knee Replacement (TKR) Coding Can you tackle an op note like this one...
  3. Anesthesia Coding Education: Sciatic Nerve Block & Same-Day General AnesthesiaQuestion: My anesthesiologist performed a sciatic nerve block for a...

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October 17, 2009