How To Use CPT Code 00640

cpt 00640 describes the anesthesia services provided for a patient undergoing manipulation of the spine or a closed procedure on the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, and examples of cpt 00640.

1. What is cpt 00640?

cpt 00640 is used to describe the anesthesia services provided for a patient undergoing manipulation of the spine or a closed procedure on the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine. This code is used when an 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 00640 is: ‘Anesthesia for manipulation of the spine or for closed procedures on the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine.’

3. Procedure

The anesthesia provider performs a pre-operative evaluation of the patient. They then induce the patient and monitor them during the manipulation of the spine or the closed procedure on the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine 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. After the procedure, the anesthesia provider oversees the patient’s transfer to post-anesthesia care.

4. Qualifying circumstances

cpt 00640 is used for patients undergoing manipulation of the spine or closed procedures on the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine. There are no specific qualifying circumstances associated with this code.

5. When to use cpt code 00640

cpt 00640 should be used when an anesthesia provider is involved in the manipulation of the spine or a closed procedure on the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine. This code should be reported for each instance of anesthesia care provided during these procedures.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for cpt 00640, 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 00640, ensure that the anesthesia provider is involved in the manipulation of the spine or the closed procedure on the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine. There are no specific billing guidelines associated with this code.

8. Historical information

cpt 00640 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2003. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. An anesthesia provider administering anesthesia for a patient undergoing manipulation of the cervical spine.
2. An anesthesia provider providing anesthesia services for a patient undergoing a closed procedure on the thoracic spine.
3. An anesthesia provider monitoring a patient during a closed procedure on the lumbar spine.
4. An anesthesia provider inducing a patient and overseeing their transfer to post-anesthesia care after a manipulation of the spine.
5. An anesthesia provider documenting the start and stop times of anesthesia care during a closed procedure on the cervical spine.
6. An anesthesia provider administering medications and monitoring a patient during a manipulation of the thoracic spine.
7. An anesthesia provider performing a pre-operative evaluation and documenting patient responses during a closed procedure on the lumbar spine.
8. An anesthesia provider overseeing the transfer of a patient to post-anesthesia care after a manipulation of the cervical spine.
9. An anesthesia provider documenting the types and amounts of medications administered during a closed procedure on the thoracic spine.
10. An anesthesia provider monitoring a patient’s vital signs during a manipulation of the lumbar spine.