For a corneal transplant under monitored anesthesia care, what codes and modifiers should be reported?

For a corneal transplant under monitored anesthesia care, the appropriate coding involves using the correct anesthesia code along with the necessary modifiers that clarify the services performed.

The code 00144 refers specifically to the anesthesia service for the excision of the cornea, which is relevant for a corneal transplant. The two-letter modifier "AA" indicates that the anesthesia was personally performed by the anesthesiologist, which is applicable if the provider delivering the anesthesia is indeed the anesthesiologist themselves.

The QS modifier signifies that the anesthesia was provided under monitored anesthesia care, indicating that the patient was under continuous observation and monitoring throughout the procedure, without necessitating full general anesthesia.

The code 99100 is an additional code that can be reported for the anesthesia service when it is provided under particularly challenging circumstances or when the patient is at increased risk. This is often included in cases of organ transplants or other delicate surgeries.

Considering these components, the combination of the codes and modifiers in the correct choice accurately reflects the specifics of the procedure and the conditions under which the anesthesia was administered. This makes it clear to insurers the nature of the service provided, justifying the inclusion of both the base code for the procedure and any modifiers to highlight the performance conditions and patient