A 38-year-old female patient presented to the office for an extended ophthalmoscopy with retinal drawing. The physician also performed interpretation and report of the findings. The physician performing the procedure also performed the anesthesia service for the patient, due to the fact that the anesthesiologist was not available. What are the correct codes for the procedure?
Explanation
Answer: B - The correct code is 92225-47, (Ophthalmoscopy, extended, with retinal drawing, with interpretation and report). Modifier -47, (Anesthesia by Surgeon) must be appended to indicate that the anesthesia service was performed by the physician performing the procedure. According to modifier guidelines, modifier -47 is not to be used on the anesthesia procedure code, but rather appended to the basic service code which in this case is 92225. The anesthesia service code, 00148, should not be reported.
