How To Use CPT Code 00797

cpt 00797 describes the anesthesia services provided for a patient undergoing a gastric restrictive procedure for morbid obesity. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, and examples of cpt 00797.

1. What is cpt 00797?

cpt 00797 is used to describe the anesthesia services provided for a patient undergoing a gastric restrictive procedure for morbid obesity. In this procedure, the surgical provider restricts or shrinks the volume of the stomach by putting a band across it, allowing the patient to decrease their food intake and lose weight. The anesthesia provider plays a crucial role in ensuring the patient’s comfort and safety during the procedure.

2. Official Description

The official description of cpt 00797 is: ‘Anesthesia for intraperitoneal procedures in upper abdomen including laparoscopy; gastric restrictive procedure for morbid obesity.’

3. Procedure

The anesthesia provider’s responsibilities for cpt 00797 include:

1. Performing a pre-operative evaluation of the patient to assess their overall health and anesthesia needs.
2. Inducing anesthesia and monitoring the patient throughout the gastric restrictive procedure for morbid obesity.
3. Administering any necessary medications and fluids during the procedure.
4. Using standard monitoring techniques such as ECG, temperature, blood pressure, oximetry, capnography, and mass spectrometry.
5. Documenting the types and amounts of medications administered, monitoring used, patient responses, and the start and stop times of anesthesia care.
6. Overseeing the patient’s transfer to post-anesthesia care following the procedure.

4. Qualifying circumstances

cpt 00797 is used for patients undergoing a gastric restrictive procedure for morbid obesity. These patients are extremely overweight and at risk for serious health conditions. The anesthesia provider must ensure the patient’s safety and comfort during the procedure, taking into account any additional health concerns or complications that may arise.

5. When to use cpt code 00797

cpt 00797 should be used when providing anesthesia services for a patient undergoing a gastric restrictive procedure for morbid obesity. It is important to accurately report this code to ensure proper reimbursement for the anesthesia services provided.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for cpt 00797, the anesthesia provider must document the following information:

• Pre-operative evaluation of the patient, including any relevant health conditions or complications.
• Details of the anesthesia care provided during the gastric restrictive procedure, including medications administered, monitoring used, and patient responses.
• Start and stop times of anesthesia care.
• Any additional procedures or interventions performed during the procedure.
• Transfer of the patient to post-anesthesia care.

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for cpt 00797, ensure that the anesthesia provider is qualified to administer anesthesia under state law. Use the appropriate HCPCS modifiers, such as AA, AD, QK, QY, GC, QX, and QZ, as required by Medicare and other payers. It is important to follow the specific billing guidelines of each payer to ensure accurate reimbursement for the anesthesia services provided.

8. Historical information

cpt 00797 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2002. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. An anesthesia provider administering anesthesia to a patient undergoing a gastric restrictive procedure for morbid obesity.
2. An anesthesia provider monitoring a patient’s vital signs during a gastric restrictive procedure for morbid obesity.
3. An anesthesia provider documenting the start and stop times of anesthesia care for a patient undergoing a gastric restrictive procedure for morbid obesity.
4. An anesthesia provider overseeing the transfer of a patient to post-anesthesia care following a gastric restrictive procedure for morbid obesity.
5. An anesthesia provider administering fluids and medications to a patient during a gastric restrictive procedure for morbid obesity.
6. An anesthesia provider using capnography to measure the concentration of carbon dioxide in a patient’s exhaled breath during a gastric restrictive procedure for morbid obesity.
7. An anesthesia provider using oximetry to measure the level of oxygen in a patient’s blood during a gastric restrictive procedure for morbid obesity.
8. An anesthesia provider using mass spectrometry to monitor inhaled and exhaled concentrations of gases during a gastric restrictive procedure for morbid obesity.
9. An anesthesia provider performing a pre-operative evaluation of a patient undergoing a gastric restrictive procedure for morbid obesity.
10. An anesthesia provider ensuring the patient’s safety and comfort during a gastric restrictive procedure for morbid obesity.