Critical Care Billing for Pediatric Surgeons: A Practical Guide From the Apsa Surgical Critical Care Committee

Pediatric surgeons frequently participate in the critical care management of children and neonates, but often under-bill or even fail to bill for these services, despite the significant time and expertise they contribute. There may be misconceptions about what services can be billed by surgeons, a perception that billing is not worth the time, or simple unfamiliarity with the process, leading to lost compensation for the valuable time and care that surgeons provide. Understanding the principles of surgical critical care billing—such as documentation requirements, time-based coding, and concurrent care considerations—is crucial for optimizing financial sustainability while maintaining compliance with regulatory guidelines.