Coding > Coding

anesthesia modifiers

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elefantelove:
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?

Michele:
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.

elefantelove:
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.

PMRNC:
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.

Michele:
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.

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