How To Use CPT Code 00731

cpt 00731 describes the anesthesia services provided for upper gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures, where the endoscope is introduced proximal to the duodenum. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, and examples of cpt 00731.

1. What is cpt 00731?

cpt 00731 is used to describe the anesthesia services provided for upper gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures, where the endoscope is introduced proximal to the duodenum. This code is used when the anesthesia provider performs anesthesia for an unspecified type of upper gastrointestinal endoscopic procedure, during which another provider introduces the endoscope to but not beyond the proximal part of the duodenum.

2. Official Description

The official description of cpt 00731 is: ‘Anesthesia for upper gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures, endoscope introduced proximal to duodenum; not otherwise specified.’

3. Procedure

1. The anesthesia provider performs a preoperative evaluation of the patient.
2. The anesthesia provider induces the patient and monitors them during the upper gastrointestinal endoscopic procedure.
3. Another provider introduces the endoscope to but not beyond the proximal part of the duodenum.
4. 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.
5. After the procedure, the anesthesia provider oversees the patient’s transfer to postanesthesia care.

4. Qualifying circumstances

cpt 00731 is used for upper gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures where the endoscope is introduced proximal to the duodenum. This code is applicable when the anesthesia provider performs anesthesia for an unspecified type of upper gastrointestinal endoscopic procedure, during which another provider introduces the endoscope to but not beyond the proximal part of the duodenum.

5. When to use cpt code 00731

cpt 00731 should be used when the anesthesia provider performs anesthesia for upper gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures, where the endoscope is introduced proximal to the duodenum. This code is specifically used when the endoscope is not introduced beyond the proximal part of the duodenum. It is important to accurately document the procedure and ensure that the anesthesia provider’s services align with the description provided by cpt 00731.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for cpt 00731, the anesthesia provider must document the following information:

• Preoperative evaluation of the patient
• Types and amounts of medications administered
• Forms of monitoring used
• Patient responses
• Start and stop times of anesthesia care
• Transfer of the patient to postanesthesia care

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for cpt 00731, ensure that the anesthesia provider’s services align with the description provided by the code. It is important to accurately document the procedure and the anesthesia time. Anesthesia time starts when the anesthesia provider prepares the patient for anesthesia induction and ends when the anesthesia provider no longer renders services to the patient or another provider assumes responsibility for the patient’s postoperative care. The total anesthesia time should be reported in block 24G of the CMS-1500 form. If multiple anesthesia services are provided during the same encounter, the most complex anesthesia procedure code with the highest base unit value should be assigned. Qualifying circumstances codes may be appended to cpt 00731 for complex anesthesia cases.

8. Historical information

cpt 00731 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2018. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. An anesthesia provider performing anesthesia for an upper gastrointestinal endoscopic procedure where the endoscope is introduced proximal to the duodenum.
2. An anesthesia provider administering anesthesia for an upper gastrointestinal endoscopic procedure with biopsy, where the endoscope is introduced proximal to the duodenum.
3. An anesthesia provider providing anesthesia for an upper gastrointestinal endoscopic procedure with control of bleeding, where the endoscope is introduced proximal to the duodenum.
4. An anesthesia provider delivering anesthesia for an upper gastrointestinal endoscopic procedure with dilation of pylorus, where the endoscope is introduced proximal to the duodenum.
5. An anesthesia provider performing anesthesia for an upper gastrointestinal endoscopic procedure, not otherwise specified, where the endoscope is introduced proximal to the duodenum.