How To Use CPT Code 00873

cpt 00873 describes the anesthesia services provided for lithotripsy, specifically extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), without the use of a water bath. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, and examples of cpt 00873.

1. What is cpt 00873?

cpt 00873 is used to describe the anesthesia services provided for lithotripsy, specifically extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), without the use of a water bath. 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 also 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 00873 is: ‘Anesthesia for lithotripsy, extracorporeal shock wave; without water bath.’

3. Procedure

The anesthesia provider begins by performing a pre-operative evaluation of the patient. They then induce the patient and monitor them during the extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) procedure, which is performed by a different provider. 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 00873 is used for anesthesia services provided during extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) without the use of a water bath. This procedure is typically performed on patients with kidney, bladder, or ureter stones. The anesthesia provider must document the patient’s health status and any qualifying circumstances, such as extreme age or the utilization of controlled hypotension, if applicable.

5. When to use cpt code 00873

cpt 00873 should be used when an anesthesia provider is providing anesthesia services for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) without the use of a water bath. It is important to ensure that the anesthesia provider’s documentation supports the use of this code and that the procedure performed aligns with the description provided.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for cpt 00873, 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 00873, ensure that the anesthesia provider is qualified to administer anesthesia under state law and that the procedure performed aligns with the description provided. It is important to follow the specific billing guidelines of the payer, including the use of appropriate modifiers and documentation requirements. If multiple anesthesia services are provided during the same encounter, assign the most complex anesthesia procedure code with the highest base unit value. Add the anesthesia time for all procedures combined and divide it by the time unit increment used by the payer to determine the total units to bill on the claim form.

8. Historical information

cpt 00873 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1991. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Similar codes to cpt 00873

Five similar codes to cpt 00873 include:

• cpt 00800: Anesthesia for procedures on the lower abdomen
• cpt 00801: Anesthesia for procedures on the lower abdomen; not otherwise specified
• cpt 00802: Anesthesia for procedures on the lower abdomen; diagnostic or therapeutic
• cpt 00810: Anesthesia for procedures on the lower back; not otherwise specified
• cpt 00811: Anesthesia for procedures on the lower back; diagnostic or therapeutic

9. Examples

1. An anesthesia provider performing anesthesia services for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) without the use of a water bath for a patient with kidney stones.
2. An anesthesia provider administering anesthesia for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) without the use of a water bath for a patient with bladder stones.
3. An anesthesia provider monitoring a patient during extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) without the use of a water bath for the treatment of ureter stones.
4. An anesthesia provider overseeing the transfer of a patient to post-anesthesia care following extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) without the use of a water bath for the removal of kidney stones.
5. An anesthesia provider documenting the start and stop times of anesthesia care during extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) without the use of a water bath for a patient with bladder stones.
6. An anesthesia provider administering appropriate medications during extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) without the use of a water bath for a patient with ureter stones.
7. An anesthesia provider monitoring the patient’s vital signs during extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) without the use of a water bath for the treatment of kidney stones.
8. An anesthesia provider performing a pre-operative evaluation of a patient prior to extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) without the use of a water bath for the removal of bladder stones.
9. An anesthesia provider documenting the patient’s response to anesthesia during extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) without the use of a water bath for the treatment of ureter stones.
10. An anesthesia provider ensuring the safe transfer of a patient to post-anesthesia care following extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) without the use of a water bath for the removal of kidney stones.