Anesthesia for CAT Scans and MRI Procedures

Payment can be made for anesthesia for computerized axial tomography (CAT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans by Blue Cross if there is documentation supporting the medical necessity of the anesthesia such as:

• Convulsive disorders;
• Tremors of the head and body;
• Cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s Disease;
• Children too young to cooperate, and/or
• Uncooperative patient due to brain injury, mental derangement, mental deficiency, diseases of the brains, etc.


Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA)

These services are covered separately when performed for the control of post-operative pain and billed by an anesthesiologist, CRNA or AA within the scope of their license. Otherwise, these services are included in the global surgery or other medical service. The usual route of administration via a PCA pump is through an intravenous line. When this service is provided through an intravenous line, an anesthesiologist will be allowed four additional units for providing management of the PCA pump. The global reimbursement covers any rate or  dosage adjustments necessary during the post-operative period. Use CPT code 01999 to report this service

Local Anesthesia

Reimbursement for topical anesthesia, local anesthesia, local infiltration and/or metacarpal/digital block, is included in the basic allowance of the surgical procedure performed. No additional reimbursement is provided