How To Use CPT Code 00126

cpt 00126 describes anesthesia services for procedures on the external, middle, and inner ear including biopsy and tympanotomy. This article will cover the description, official description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, and examples of cpt 00126.

1. What is cpt 00126?

cpt 00126 is a code used to describe anesthesia services provided for procedures on the external, middle, and inner ear including biopsy and tympanotomy. Anesthesia is administered by a qualified anesthesia provider to ensure the patient’s comfort and safety during these procedures.

2. Official Description

The official description of cpt 00126 is: ‘Anesthesia for procedures on the external, middle, and inner ear including biopsy; tympanotomy.’

3. Procedure

1. The anesthesia provider performs a pre-operative evaluation of the patient.
2. The anesthesia provider induces the patient and monitors them during the procedure on the external, middle, and inner ear including biopsy and tympanotomy.
3. The anesthesia provider administers any necessary medications and utilizes various forms of monitoring such as ECG, temperature, blood pressure, oximetry, capnography, and mass spectrometry.
4. The anesthesia provider documents the types and amounts of medications administered, patient responses, and the start and stop times of anesthesia care.
5. Following the procedure, the anesthesia provider oversees the patient’s transfer to post-anesthesia care.

4. Qualifying circumstances

cpt 00126 is used for anesthesia services provided during procedures on the external, middle, and inner ear including biopsy and tympanotomy. These procedures may be necessary for various conditions affecting the ear, such as infections, tumors, or hearing loss. The anesthesia provider must be a qualified anesthesia provider, such as an anesthesiologist, doctor of medicine or osteopathy, dentist, oral surgeon, podiatrist, certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), or anesthesiologist assistant (AA).

5. When to use cpt code 00126

cpt 00126 should be used when anesthesia services are provided for procedures on the external, middle, and inner ear including biopsy and tympanotomy. It is important to ensure that the anesthesia provider is present throughout the procedure and that appropriate monitoring is utilized to ensure the patient’s safety and comfort.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for cpt 00126, the anesthesia provider must document the following information:

• Pre-operative evaluation of the patient
• Types and amounts of medications administered
• Forms of monitoring used, such as ECG, temperature, blood pressure, oximetry, capnography, and mass spectrometry
• Patient responses and any complications or adverse events
• Start and stop times of anesthesia care
• Signature of the anesthesia provider

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for cpt 00126, ensure that the anesthesia provider is qualified and present throughout the procedure. It is important to follow the specific billing guidelines of the payer, including any required modifiers or additional documentation. cpt 00126 should not be reported with other anesthesia codes unless multiple anesthesia services were provided during the same encounter.

8. Historical information

cpt 00126 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. An anesthesiologist providing anesthesia services for a patient undergoing a tympanotomy for the removal of a middle ear tumor.
2. A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) administering anesthesia to a patient undergoing a biopsy of the external ear for the evaluation of a suspicious lesion.
3. An oral surgeon providing anesthesia services for a patient undergoing a procedure on the inner ear to repair a damaged eardrum.
4. A dentist administering anesthesia to a pediatric patient undergoing a tympanotomy for the drainage of fluid from the middle ear.
5. An anesthesiologist assistant (AA) providing anesthesia services for a patient undergoing a biopsy of the middle ear to investigate the cause of recurrent ear infections.