How To Use CPT Code 01444

cpt 01444 describes the anesthesia services provided for procedures on the arteries of the knee and popliteal area, specifically for popliteal excision and graft or repair due to occlusion or aneurysm. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, and examples of cpt 01444.

1. What is cpt 01444?

cpt 01444 is used to describe the anesthesia services provided for procedures on the arteries of the knee and popliteal area, specifically for popliteal excision and graft or repair due to occlusion or aneurysm. This code is used when an anesthesia provider administers anesthesia to a patient undergoing this specific surgical procedure.

2. Official Description

The official description of cpt 01444 is: ‘Anesthesia for procedures on arteries of knee and popliteal area; popliteal excision and graft or repair for occlusion or aneurysm.’

3. Procedure

The anesthesia provider performs a preoperative evaluation of the patient. They then induce the patient and monitor them during the popliteal excision and graft or repair procedure performed by a different provider. The anesthesia provider administers medications, monitors the patient’s vital signs, and ensures their comfort and safety throughout the procedure. After the procedure, the anesthesia provider oversees the patient’s transfer to the post-anesthesia care unit.

4. Qualifying circumstances

Patients eligible to receive anesthesia services under cpt 01444 are those undergoing popliteal excision and graft or repair procedures for occlusion or aneurysm in the knee and popliteal area. The anesthesia services must be provided by a qualified anesthesia provider, such as an anesthesiologist, doctor of medicine or osteopathy, dentist, oral surgeon, podiatrist, certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), or anesthesiologist assistant (AA).

5. When to use cpt code 01444

cpt 01444 should be used when an anesthesia provider administers anesthesia for popliteal excision and graft or repair procedures on the arteries of the knee and popliteal area. This code is specific to procedures involving occlusion or aneurysm in this anatomical region.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for cpt 01444, the anesthesia provider must document the following information:

• Patient’s preoperative evaluation
• Types and amounts of medications administered
• Monitoring methods used during the procedure
• Patient’s responses and vital signs
• Start and stop times of anesthesia care
• Details of the popliteal excision and graft or repair procedure
• Transfer of the patient to the post-anesthesia care unit

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for cpt 01444, ensure that the anesthesia services are provided by a qualified anesthesia provider and are specifically for popliteal excision and graft or repair procedures on the arteries of the knee and popliteal area. Follow the appropriate coding and billing guidelines provided by the payer. It is important to note that cpt 01444 may not be reported with other anesthesia codes for the same patient during the same encounter, unless there are specific circumstances that warrant separate reporting.

8. Historical information

cpt 01444 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. The code was later added to the Inpatient Only (IPO) list for Medicare in 2017, indicating that it is typically performed in an inpatient setting.

9. Similar codes to cpt 01444

There are no specific similar codes provided for cpt 01444. However, other anesthesia codes may be applicable for procedures on the arteries of the knee and popliteal area, depending on the specific nature of the procedure. Anesthesia providers should review the range of codes related to anesthesia for procedures on the knee and popliteal area to determine the most appropriate code for their services.

9. Examples

1. An anesthesiologist providing anesthesia services for a patient undergoing popliteal excision and graft for occlusion in the knee and popliteal area.
2. A certified registered nurse anesthetist administering anesthesia to a patient undergoing popliteal repair for aneurysm in the knee and popliteal area.
3. A dentist qualified to administer anesthesia providing anesthesia services for a patient undergoing popliteal excision and graft for occlusion in the knee and popliteal area.
4. An anesthesiologist assistant working under the supervision of an anesthesiologist providing anesthesia for a patient undergoing popliteal repair for aneurysm in the knee and popliteal area.
5. A doctor of medicine or osteopathy administering anesthesia to a patient undergoing popliteal excision and graft for occlusion in the knee and popliteal area.
6. An oral surgeon qualified to administer anesthesia providing anesthesia services for a patient undergoing popliteal repair for aneurysm in the knee and popliteal area.
7. A podiatrist qualified to administer anesthesia administering anesthesia to a patient undergoing popliteal excision and graft for occlusion in the knee and popliteal area.
8. A certified registered nurse anesthetist working under the supervision of an anesthesiologist providing anesthesia for a patient undergoing popliteal repair for aneurysm in the knee and popliteal area.
9. An anesthesiologist providing anesthesia services for a patient undergoing popliteal excision and graft for occlusion in the knee and popliteal area.
10. An anesthesiologist assistant qualified to administer anesthesia administering anesthesia to a patient undergoing popliteal repair for aneurysm in the knee and popliteal area.