Practice Quiz

Medical Coding

Category - Anesthesia

Start a Study Session Sign up for Question of the Day
Ms. McClinton was administered anesthesia by an anesthesiologist in her dentist’s office when she was seen for her dental procedure. The dentist usually performs the procedure with a local anesthetic, but anesthesia was administered in this circumstance due to the patient’s extreme anxiety. What would be the correct modifier for the procedure?
  1. -23
  2. -22
  3. -47
  4. -26
Explanation
Answer: A - Modifier-23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is the correct modifier. The dental procedure would have normally been performed under local anesthesia, but due to the unusual circumstances, an anesthesiologist was required to administer a heavier dose of anesthesia to the patient. Modifier -47 is incorrect because the anesthesia was administered by the anesthesiologist not a surgeon.
Was this helpful? Upvote!
Login to contribute your own answer or details
Start a Study Session Sign up for Question of the Day

Top questions

Related questions

Most popular on PracticeQuiz