Cell Saver

Who would bill for the use of cell saver - code 86891 throughout a laminectomy the physician or the hospital?

Cell saver

The hospital since that entity owns the equipment (typically the physician isn't carting a cell saver to the OR).

Kim Pollock, RN, MBA, CPC
KarenZupko & Associates, Inc.
www.karenzupko.com

Cell Saver

Thank you for your response. I understand that the hospital owes the equiptment but the cell saver was used thoughout the case and the physician did monitor the process.

Cell saver

What specific process? Why did a spine surgeon need to use a cell saver during a laminectomy?

Kim Pollock, RN, MBA, CPC
KarenZupko & Associates, Inc.
www.karenzupko.com

The doc can't bill for that

just as they cannot bill for counting sponges (which they monitor), or iv fluids given (which they order and monitor). It is amazing how docs will try to sqeeze water out of a rock.

Cell Saver

Thanks for your response