How To Use CPT Code 00322

cpt 00322 describes the anesthesia services provided by a healthcare professional for procedures on the esophagus, thyroid, larynx, trachea, and lymphatic system of the neck, including a needle biopsy of the thyroid. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, and examples of cpt 00322.

1. What is cpt 00322?

cpt 00322 is used to describe the anesthesia services provided by a healthcare professional for procedures on the esophagus, thyroid, larynx, trachea, and lymphatic system of the neck, including a needle biopsy of the thyroid. 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.

2. Official Description

The official description of cpt 00322 is: ‘Anesthesia for all procedures on esophagus, thyroid, larynx, trachea and lymphatic system of neck; needle biopsy of thyroid.’

3. Procedure

1. The anesthesia provider performs a pre-operative evaluation of the patient.
2. The anesthesia provider induces the patient and monitors the patient during the procedure on the esophagus, thyroid, larynx, trachea, and lymphatic system of the neck, including a needle biopsy of the thyroid.
3. 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.
4. Following the procedure, the anesthesia provider oversees the patient’s transfer to post-anesthesia care.

4. Qualifying circumstances

cpt 00322 is used for anesthesia services provided for procedures on the esophagus, thyroid, larynx, trachea, and lymphatic system of the neck, including a needle biopsy of the thyroid. The anesthesia provider must perform a pre-operative evaluation, induce the patient, monitor the patient during the procedure, and oversee the patient’s transfer to post-anesthesia care.

5. When to use cpt code 00322

cpt 00322 should be used when a healthcare professional provides anesthesia services for procedures on the esophagus, thyroid, larynx, trachea, and lymphatic system of the neck, including a needle biopsy of the thyroid. This code should be used for each procedure performed on the specified anatomical areas.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for cpt 00322, 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
• Start and stop times of anesthesia care
• Transfer of the patient to post-anesthesia care

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for cpt 00322, ensure that the anesthesia provider performs the necessary pre-operative evaluation, induction, monitoring, and post-anesthesia care for procedures on the esophagus, thyroid, larynx, trachea, and lymphatic system of the neck, including a needle biopsy of the thyroid. This code should not be reported with other anesthesia codes for the same encounter. Use the appropriate HCPCS modifiers for Medicare and other payers requiring modifiers to describe anesthesia services rendered.

8. Historical information

cpt 00322 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 for a patient undergoing a procedure on the esophagus.
2. An anesthesia provider administering anesthesia for a patient undergoing a needle biopsy of the thyroid.
3. An anesthesia provider monitoring a patient during a procedure on the larynx.
4. An anesthesia provider overseeing a patient’s transfer to post-anesthesia care after a procedure on the trachea.
5. An anesthesia provider performing anesthesia services for a patient undergoing a procedure on the lymphatic system of the neck.
6. An anesthesia provider inducing a patient and monitoring them during a procedure on the esophagus and thyroid.
7. An anesthesia provider performing anesthesia services for a patient undergoing a procedure on the larynx and trachea.
8. An anesthesia provider administering anesthesia for a patient undergoing a needle biopsy of the thyroid and a procedure on the lymphatic system of the neck.
9. An anesthesia provider monitoring a patient during a procedure on the esophagus and trachea.
10. An anesthesia provider overseeing a patient’s transfer to post-anesthesia care after a procedure on the thyroid and lymphatic system of the neck.