Mastering Time-Based Anesthesia Billing: A Guide to Boost Accuracy and Revenue

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  Anesthesia billing is a unique and intricate component of medical billing that differs significantly from other specialties. Unlike procedures billed on a per-service basis, anesthesia is often billed based on the duration of the service—making time-based billing a critical factor in accurate reimbursement. Let’s break down what time-based anesthesia billing entails and how practices can optimize their billing processes to avoid costly errors and delays. What is Time-Based Anesthesia Billing? Time-based anesthesia billing involves calculating charges based on the total time the anesthesiologist spends with a patient. This typically includes: Preoperative preparation Administration and maintenance of anesthesia Post-anesthesia care until the patient is no longer under the anesthesiologist’s care The billing formula generally looks like this: Total Units = Base Units + Time Units + Modifying Units Base Units : Determined by the specific surgical procedure perfor...
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Correct Use of Modifier 50 in ASC Billing

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Modifiers are two-digit symbols added to CPT procedure codes to signify the procedure has been altered in some way. Modifiers are accepted by Medicare and most other payers, however, using modifiers correctly can be confusing, since not all payers want modifiers used the same way. Medicare defines the ASC facility’s Global Period to be 24 hours from the time the first procedure begins – it is NOT 10 or 90 days like the physician’s Global Period might be. However, some payers other than Medicare might consider the Global Period to be 48 – 72 hours for ASC facilities. Some Modifiers are for use by physician practices only, some for use on facility claims only, and some are for use by both provider types. In this Blog, we have discussed the correct use of modifier 50 in ASC billing.

Not using Modifiers according to each payer’s specifications can cause unnecessary denials or cause claims to not pay properly. Certain Modifiers are for use because the patient had to return to the OR for another procedure the same day or close to the time another procedure was performed in your facility – which is referred to as the “Global Period” or “Postoperative Period.”

Modifier 50 in ASC Billing: Bilateral Procedures

For Bilateral procedures, use the -50 or -RT/-LT modifiers when an identical procedure is performed on both the Right and Left sides of the body. The policies payors have for the use of modifiers for reporting bilateral procedures can vary. Check with each payor for their preferred method of billing bilateral procedures.

Do not mix methods or modifier types. Never use the -RT/-LT Modifiers on the same code listed on the claim as one line item. Billing with one line item can only be done using the -50 Modifier (which is not accepted by Medicare). Do not mix the -50 Modifier with –RT or –LT Modifiers. Do not use Bilateral Modifiers on those CPT codes with verbiage describing procedures as “Bilateral” or “Unilateral or Bilateral”.

To know more about the Correct Usage of Modifier 50 in ASC Billing and Modifiers LT and RT for Bilateral Procedures, click here: https://bit.ly/40pqtKy Contact us at info@medicalbillersandcoders.com/ 888-357-3226.

Location: United States

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