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Relative Value Guide (RVG) and CROSSWALK

ASA Group Practice Solutions

CROSSWALK® 2021 Book

Code accurately and compliantly and ensure you have access to the most up-to-date information. Order now.

Looking for Reverse CROSSWALK? Reverse CROSSWALK 2021 includes the CPT® anesthesia codes and cross references all the applicable CPT procedure codes that may be associated with a particular anesthesia code for data analysis and research initiatives. Reverse CROSSWALK is only available as an electronic file for download. Please call Member Services to order.

Relative Value Guide® 2021 Book

Gain easy access to unit values, code descriptions and anesthesia guidelines with this essential tool for all anesthesia practices. Order now.

Combo – CROSSWALK® 2021 Book and Relative Value Guide® 2021 Book

An essential anesthesia coding book combo featuring CROSSWALK 2021 Book and Relative Value Guide 2021 Book at additional savings. Order now.

Interested in purchasing CROSSWALK or RVG™ as an eFile? Contact Member Services at (630) 912-2552, M – F, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Discounts on orders of 11 or more; inquire with Member Services.

eFile Formats

For your convenience, ASA offers CROSSWALK, the Relative Value Guide, and Reverse CROSSWALK for download via an electronic file. Data may then be seamlessly embedded directly into systems for fast, reliable search functionality.

eFiles are available in four formats:

1) COMMA-delimited ASCII
2) TAB delimited ASCII
3) Microsoft Excel 
4) PDF (Reverse CROSSWALK only)

These files may be used with any software program that allows the import of these formats. Pricing for these eFiles are a flat fee plus a cost per user. Call Member Services at (630) 912-2552 to place your pre-order.

What is the CROSSWALK product and how is it typically used?
It is a tool that lists the CPT® anesthesia code that most specifically describes the anesthesia service for a particular diagnostic or therapeutic CPT procedure code and includes the associated ASA base unit values for that anesthesia service. It is available in a print copy and a downloadable e-file. The product is released on an annual basis with the updated coding changes. When there is not a one-to-one relationship between a surgical CPT procedure and an anesthesia procedure, the CROSSWALK provides a list of alternate code choices and in some instances, additional guidance on how to select the most appropriate code. It is reviewed and updated on an annual basis, which keeps it up to date with CPT code changes and current practice based on feedback and questions that ASA receives its members and others that use the product.

The print version is often used by coders and billers at hospitals, practices, payors and billing companies to properly code anesthesia services that accompany a surgical procedure. The e-file may be embedded by EMRs, hospitals, practices, payors and billing companies within their software systems to automate this process for their own internal operations.

What is the Relative Value Guide product and how is it typically used?
The RVG provides an explanation of anesthesia coding, including definitions of what is included in a base unit value, when time starts/ends, field avoidance, reporting time for neuroaxial labor anesthesia services and other important elements of anesthesia billing and is often purchased as a supplement to the CROSSWALK product. An understanding of the anesthesia basics as found in the RVG is necessary in order to understand and properly code/bill anesthesia services. It also contains coding comments that provide additional information on proper code use and the base unit values associated with each anesthesia CPT code. It is available in a print copy and a downloadable e-file. The product is released on an annual basis with the updated coding changes.

The print version is often purchased as a reference tool by those responsible for coding and billing for anesthesia services (e.g. coders, billers and healthcare providers). The e-file is utilized by practices for data analysis purposes and by payors that have contracts that pay based on the ASA base unit values for anesthesia services.

What is the Reverse CROSSWALK product and how is it typically used?
The Reverse CROSSWALK is based on the information within the CROSSWALK in reverse and can be useful for analytic work. It is a tool that lists the CPT anesthesia codes and cross references all the applicable CPT procedure codes that may be associated with a particular anesthesia service. It is available only in a downloadable e-file. The product is released on an annual basis with the updated coding changes.

It is used primarily for data analysis and research. For instance, if an anesthesia practice were participating in an accountable care organization or bundled payment initiative in which its anesthesia services were bundled into an episode of care, the Reverse CROSSWALK could be utilized to look up specific CPT procedure codes that correspond to the anesthesia that is being administered.

How is a “user” defined?
The definition of “user” is listed below and includes direct users who access the product and indirect users that rely on the output of the product. For instance, direct users often include those individuals responsible for coding or billing anesthesia services within a healthcare or payor setting. Indirect users often include the practitioners (e.g. anesthesiologists, certified registered nurse anesthetists, certified anesthesiologist assistants) that have their codes automatically converted from surgical to anesthesia CPT codes for billing purposes.

A “user” means an individual who:

  1. accesses, uses, or manipulates CROSSWALK, Reverse CROSSWALK, and/or Relative Value Guide Editorial Content contained in the electronic product; or
  2. accesses, uses, or manipulates the electronic product to produce or enable an output (data, reports or the like) that could not have been created without the CROSSWALK, Reverse CROSSWALK, and/or Relative Value Guide content embedded in electronic product even though CROSSWALK, Reverse CROSSWALK, and/or RVG Editorial Content may not be visible or directly accessible; or
  3. makes use of an output of the Electronic Licensed Product that relies on or could not have been created without the CROSSWALK, Reverse CROSSWALK, and/or RVG Editorial Content embedded in the Electronic Licensed Product even though CROSSWALK and/or Relative Value Guide Editorial Content may not be visible or directly accessible.

I want to embed one of the ASA products into my EMR, coding product, billing system, or other product. Do I need permission?
Yes, you need to obtain a license from the ASA to use the product based on your number of users. If you are embedding it for use internally within your organization, then you will need an “internal use” license. If you would like to incorporate an ASA product into a product that will be distributed to third parties outside of your organization, then you will need a “distribution” license.

What is the fee to obtain an internal user license or a DLA?
The royalty fee for a license is an annual eFile fee of $500 per legal entity/distribution licensee per product plus a $25 per user fee for 1 product or a $20 per user fee per product for multiple products (e.g. $40 per user to license CROSSWALK and RVG).  A 20% high volume discount for licensees with greater than 1,000 users is available. If you choose to purchase the Reverse CROSSWALK, the only difference in pricing is the annual eFile fee is $60 instead of $500, but all of the per user rates are the same.

Date of last update: November 30, 2023