How To Use CPT Code 00170

cpt 00170 describes the anesthesia services provided by a healthcare professional during intraoral procedures, including biopsy. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, and examples of cpt 00170.

1. What is cpt 00170?

cpt 00170 is used to describe the anesthesia services provided by a healthcare professional during intraoral procedures, specifically including biopsy. This code is used when the anesthesia provider performs a pre-operative evaluation, induces the patient, monitors the patient during the procedure, and oversees the patient’s transfer to post-anesthesia care. The anesthesia provider documents the types and amounts of medications administered, forms of monitoring used, patient responses, and the start and stop times of anesthesia care.

2. Official Description

The official description of cpt 00170 is: ‘Anesthesia for intraoral procedures, including biopsy; not otherwise specified.’

3. Procedure

The anesthesia provider performs a pre-operative evaluation of the patient. They then induce the patient and monitor them during the intraoral procedure, including biopsy, that a different provider performs. The anesthesia provider notes the types and amounts of medications administered, all forms of monitoring used, patient responses, and the start and stop times of anesthesia care. Following the procedure, the anesthesia provider oversees the patient’s transfer to post-anesthesia care.

4. Qualifying circumstances

cpt 00170 is used for anesthesia services during intraoral procedures, including biopsy. It is important to note that the anesthesia provider must perform a pre-operative evaluation, induce the patient, monitor them during the procedure, and oversee their transfer to post-anesthesia care. The anesthesia services represented by cpt 00170 include a pre- and post-operative visit to assess the patient, anesthesia care during the procedure, administration of fluids and/or blood if necessary, and standard monitoring services such as ECG, temperature, blood pressure, oximetry, capnography, and mass spectrometry.

5. When to use cpt code 00170

cpt 00170 should be used when a healthcare professional provides anesthesia services during intraoral procedures, including biopsy. It is important to ensure that the anesthesia provider performs a pre-operative evaluation, induces the patient, monitors them during the procedure, and oversees their transfer to post-anesthesia care. This code should be used for each intraoral procedure that requires anesthesia services.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for cpt 00170, the anesthesia provider must document the following information:

• Patient’s pre-operative evaluation
• Types and amounts of medications administered
• Forms of monitoring used
• Patient responses during anesthesia care
• Start and stop times of anesthesia care
• Transfer of the patient to post-anesthesia care

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for cpt 00170, ensure that the anesthesia provider performs a pre-operative evaluation, induces the patient, monitors them during the procedure, and oversees their transfer to post-anesthesia care. It is important to follow the specific billing guidelines of the payer, including the use of appropriate HCPCS modifiers for Medicare and other payers requiring them. If multiple anesthesia services are provided during the same encounter, assign the most complex anesthesia procedure code with the highest base unit value. Add the anesthesia time for all procedures combined and divide it by the time unit increment used by the payer to determine the total units to bill on the claim form.

8. Historical information

cpt 00170 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 performing anesthesia services during a biopsy of a lesion in the oral cavity.
2. An anesthesia provider administering anesthesia during a biopsy of a salivary gland.
3. An anesthesia provider providing anesthesia services during a procedure to remove a tumor from the tongue.
4. An anesthesia provider inducing and monitoring a patient during a biopsy of the floor of the mouth.
5. An anesthesia provider overseeing the anesthesia care during a procedure to repair a cleft palate.
6. An anesthesia provider administering anesthesia during a procedure to remove impacted wisdom teeth.
7. An anesthesia provider performing anesthesia services during a biopsy of the gums.
8. An anesthesia provider inducing and monitoring a patient during a procedure to remove a dental implant.
9. An anesthesia provider providing anesthesia services during a procedure to treat temporomandibular joint disorder.
10. An anesthesia provider administering anesthesia during a procedure to remove a tumor from the jawbone.