Medical Billing Forum

Coding => Coding => : elefantelove October 20, 2011, 04:58:17 PM

: anesthesia modifiers
: elefantelove October 20, 2011, 04:58:17 PM
what modifier is used when a surgeon first uses local anesthesia during an appendectomy, but then needs to use general anesthesia due to the infected area spreading? do i use modifier -22? also what would be the patients physical status code? p-2 or p-3?
: Re: anesthesia modifiers
: Michele October 21, 2011, 10:47:57 AM
The physical status of the patient can only be determined by the doctor.  I don't believe modifier 22 is appropriate for what you are describing but I have limited information.  I believe you would just use the procedure code for the surgery along with appropriate units for time, physical status, and any other things that may have affected the procedure.
: Re: anesthesia modifiers
: elefantelove October 21, 2011, 02:33:37 PM
this is the scenerio: Tina was to be operated on for appendectomy. Local anesthesia was applied to the affected part. During the surgery, the surgeons discovered that the infection had spread to a larger area. To attend to the other portions, they decided to administer general anesthesia. Discuss and explain which modifier will be used to identify her condition.


: Re: anesthesia modifiers
: PMRNC October 25, 2011, 09:50:08 AM
Coding questions like that really shouldn't be done via message board, the physician/provider would really need to either code, have a CPC code, and the actual medical record is needed.
: Re: anesthesia modifiers
: Michele October 25, 2011, 02:21:39 PM
I agree with Linda.  Even with info provided it is hard to answer this question.  I have an idea of what you are asking but I'm not aware of a modifier.