AMA CPT® Assistant - 1997 Issue 6 (June)
Anesthesia, 00850, 00857 (Q&A) (June 1997)
June 1997 page 11-end Coding Consultation Anesthesia, 00850, 00857 (Q&A) Question If a physician performs an epidural (continuous) for a woman in labor and then administers anesthesia for a cesarean-delivery (endotracheal), should I use code 00857 , Continuous epidural analgesia, for labor and cesarean section , to describe the service? AMA Comment No. Code 00857 represents continuous epidural anesthesia provided for both the labor pains and the delivery performed by cesarean delivery. This is not be the case in an endotracheally administered anesthesia given for the delivery. Instead, you should use two codes, 62279 *, Injection of diagnostic or therapeutic...
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Article Overview
This article reviews a CPT Assistant coding question from June 1997 focused on anesthesia services associated with labor and cesarean delivery. It is useful for coders and billing staff who need to understand how the discussion addresses anesthesia coding for obstetric cases and related reporting considerations. The piece is a short consultation format article with a question-and-answer exchange and an AMA comment.
Why This Topic Matters
Obstetric anesthesia encounters can involve multiple services in a single episode of care, and this article explains the coding discussion surrounding that scenario. It helps readers identify the relevant CPT context before applying the full premium guidance.
What You Will Learn
- The CPT Assistant discussion format used in a coding consultation article.
- The general anesthesia topics involved in labor and cesarean delivery encounters.
- How the article frames reporting considerations for combined obstetric anesthesia services.
- The role of the AMA comment in clarifying the coding discussion.
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing specialists
- Anesthesia coders
- Obstetric practice staff
- Compliance professionals
Codes Discussed
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