How To Use CPT Code 00160

cpt 00160 describes the anesthesia services provided for procedures on the nose and accessory sinuses when there is no more specific code available. This article will cover the description, official description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, and examples of cpt 00160.

1. What is cpt 00160?

cpt 00160 is used to describe the anesthesia services provided for procedures on the nose and accessory sinuses when there is no more specific code available. This code is used when the anesthesia provider performs a preoperative evaluation, induces the patient, monitors the patient during the surgery, administers medications, and oversees the patient’s transfer to postanesthesia care.

2. Official Description

The official description of cpt 00160 is: ‘Anesthesia for procedures on nose and accessory sinuses; not otherwise specified.’

3. Procedure

The anesthesia provider performs a preoperative evaluation of the patient. They then induce the patient and monitor them during the nose and accessory sinus surgery performed by a different provider. The anesthesia provider administers medications, notes the types and amounts of medications used, and utilizes standard monitoring services such as ECG, temperature, blood pressure, oximetry, capnography, and mass spectrometry. After the procedure, the anesthesia provider oversees the patient’s transfer to postanesthesia care.

4. Qualifying circumstances

cpt 00160 is used when there is no more specific code available for anesthesia services for procedures on the nose and accessory sinuses. It is important to note that this code should only be used when there is no other code that more accurately describes the specific procedure being performed.

5. When to use cpt code 00160

cpt 00160 should be used when there is no more specific code available to describe the anesthesia services provided for procedures on the nose and accessory sinuses. It is important to review the available codes and documentation to ensure that there is not a more appropriate code that accurately describes the procedure being performed.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for cpt 00160, the anesthesia provider must document the following information:

• Preoperative evaluation of the patient
• Induction of the patient
• Monitoring during the procedure
• Types and amounts of medications administered
• Standard monitoring services used
• Start and stop times of anesthesia care
• Transfer of the patient to postanesthesia care

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for cpt 00160, ensure that there is no more specific code available to accurately describe the procedure being performed. It is important to review the available codes and documentation to determine the most appropriate code to report. If there is a more specific code available, that code should be used instead of cpt 00160.

8. Historical information

cpt 00160 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 anesthesia provider administering anesthesia for a nasal polyp removal procedure.
2. An anesthesia provider providing anesthesia services for a sinus surgery.
3. An anesthesia provider administering anesthesia for a septoplasty procedure.
4. An anesthesia provider providing anesthesia services for a rhinoplasty procedure.
5. An anesthesia provider administering anesthesia for a maxillary sinus surgery.
6. An anesthesia provider providing anesthesia services for a ethmoidectomy procedure.
7. An anesthesia provider administering anesthesia for a sphenoid sinus surgery.
8. An anesthesia provider providing anesthesia services for a frontal sinusotomy procedure.
9. An anesthesia provider administering anesthesia for a nasal fracture reduction procedure.
10. An anesthesia provider providing anesthesia services for a nasal foreign body removal procedure.