How To Use CPT Code 00550

cpt 00550 describes the anesthesia services provided for a patient undergoing a procedure involving the removal of dead or damaged tissue from the breastbone. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, and examples of cpt 00550.

1. What is cpt 00550?

cpt 00550 is used to describe the anesthesia services provided for a patient undergoing a sternal debridement procedure. This procedure involves the removal of dead or damaged tissue from the breastbone. The anesthesia provider performs a pre-operative evaluation of the patient, induces anesthesia, and monitors the patient during the procedure. They also note the medications administered, types of monitoring used, patient responses, and the start and stop times of anesthesia care. After the procedure, the anesthesia provider oversees the patient’s transfer to post-anesthesia care.

2. Official Description

The official description of cpt 00550 is: ‘Anesthesia for sternal debridement.’

3. Procedure

The anesthesia provider begins by performing a pre-operative evaluation of the patient. They then induce anesthesia and monitor the patient during the sternal debridement procedure, which involves the surgical removal of damaged, devitalized, and contaminated tissue from the breastbone. The anesthesia provider documents the types and amounts of medications administered, as well as any forms of monitoring used. They also note the start and stop times of anesthesia care. After the procedure, the anesthesia provider oversees the patient’s transfer to post-anesthesia care.

4. Qualifying circumstances

cpt 00550 is used for patients undergoing a sternal debridement procedure. This procedure is typically performed on patients with dead or damaged tissue in the breastbone area. The anesthesia provider must be qualified to administer anesthesia, such as an anesthesiologist, doctor of medicine or osteopathy, dentist, oral surgeon, podiatrist, certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), or anesthesiologist assistant (AA). The anesthesia services may include the administration of fluids and/or blood, as well as standard monitoring services such as ECG, temperature, blood pressure, oximetry, capnography, and mass spectrometry.

5. When to use cpt code 00550

cpt 00550 should be used when providing anesthesia services for a patient undergoing a sternal debridement procedure. It is important to ensure that the anesthesia provider is qualified to administer anesthesia and that the procedure involves the removal of dead or damaged tissue from the breastbone. This code should be used for each instance of anesthesia care provided during a sternal debridement procedure.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for cpt 00550, 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
• Patient’s transfer to post-anesthesia care

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for cpt 00550, ensure that the anesthesia provider is qualified to administer anesthesia and that the procedure involves sternal debridement. Follow the appropriate billing guidelines for anesthesia services, including the use of anesthesia time and the assignment of physical status modifiers. Append the appropriate HCPCS modifiers to the anesthesia codes for Medicare and other payers requiring them. It is important to accurately document and code for any additional services or monitoring used during the procedure.

8. Historical information

cpt 00550 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2001. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. An anesthesiologist providing anesthesia services for a patient undergoing sternal debridement to remove dead tissue from the breastbone.
2. A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) administering anesthesia to a patient during a sternal debridement procedure.
3. A dentist qualified to administer anesthesia providing anesthesia services for a patient undergoing sternal debridement.
4. An oral surgeon overseeing the administration of anesthesia during a sternal debridement procedure.
5. An anesthesiologist assistant (AA) working under the supervision of an anesthesiologist and providing anesthesia services for a patient undergoing sternal debridement.
6. A doctor of medicine or osteopathy other than an anesthesiologist administering anesthesia to a patient during a sternal debridement procedure.
7. A podiatrist qualified to administer anesthesia providing anesthesia services for a patient undergoing sternal debridement.
8. A CRNA working under the supervision of an operating surgeon and providing anesthesia services for a patient undergoing sternal debridement.
9. An anesthesiologist overseeing the administration of anesthesia during a sternal debridement procedure.
10. A dentist qualified to administer anesthesia providing anesthesia services for a patient undergoing sternal debridement.