I am an auditor and have a hospital who wants to charge administration for Pre-Op IVP Versed (96374). I have explained that this would be considered part of the facility’s Global Surgical Package as anesthesia writes for the medication when they begin to prep their patient for the operating room. Can someone please give me guidance on this? It is written in the NCCI Process Manual that Anesthesia starts when the practitioner begins to prepare the patient for anesthesia services in the operating room or an equivalent area (pre-op). Jan 1 they started adding the charge for Pre-Op antibiotic administration (96365) also, but we explained to them that Pre Op antibiotics are part of the Global Surgical Package, and now this discussion has come about. I am telling them they may charge for Pre-Op Zofran as long as it is not integral to the surgery, but that Versed is part of the Anesthesia Process – regardless if they’re using General, Mac, or Moderate Sedation.

Thanks in advance for any response!

Can the facility bill for a pre-op N&V or anti-anxiety medication administration prior to anesthesia being started, if it’s patient specific (because they requested for example) and not done for every one of the same procedures? These are OP procedures, mostly using Moderate Sedation or Mac, but also some Generals. I know you can’t charge for an antibiotic drip started in Pre-Op (because it’s done for every patient), but can’t find documentation stating that you can or can’t for pre-op IVP’s. Thanks in advance for any responses.