I am looking for feed back on the following: As we update our 2002 policy and clarify numerous issues we are encountering with Anesthesia policy, claim overpayments/underpayments and provider dissatisfaction, we want to insure that we are following HIPAA policy. I am under the impression that "Medical Specialty Society" coding is not considered HIPAA compliant. Should we then remove these codes from our our processes?
Currently, we have used these ASA "only" codes in provider contracting and downstream claim payment processes. As we update our 2002 policy and clarify numerous issues we are encountering with Anesthesia policy, claim overpayments/underpayments and provider dissatisfaction, we want to insure that we are following HIPAA policy. I am under the impression that "Medical Specialty Society" coding is not considered HIPAA compliant. Should we then remove these codes from our processes? >From what I understand from the ASA - eventually these codes MAY be included in the next year's version of the CPT book. They are typically developed to support new or revised procedure coding in CPT as it relates to anesthesia services. For example, this year a surgical CPT was revised for hernia repair in infants. The ASA then created a new anesthesia procedure specifically for hernia repair in infants that would require a slightly higher level of reimbursement. The question is - should we adopt this new ASA only code in 2002, or wait until it is included in CPT and recognized by the AMA (if at all)? The 9 codes in questions are: 00326, 00541, 00640, 00834, 00836, 01175, 01997, 02100, 02101. The codes in bold are new ASA codes for 2002. None of these 9 codes are found in the 2002 CPT book. Thanks ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately notify the sender by e-mail at the address shown. This e-mail transmission may contain confidential information. This information is intended only for the use of the individual(s) or entity to whom it is intended even if addressed incorrectly. Please delete it from your files if you are not the intended recipient. Thank you for your compliance. Copyright (c) 2002 CIGNA ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
