How To Use CPT Code 01520

cpt 01520 describes anesthesia services for procedures on the veins of the lower leg. This article will cover the description, official description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, and examples of cpt 01520.

1. What is cpt 01520?

cpt 01520 is used to describe anesthesia services provided to a patient undergoing a procedure on the veins of the lower leg. This code is used when an anesthesia provider performs a preoperative evaluation, induces the patient, monitors them during the procedure, administers medications, and oversees the patient’s transfer to post anesthesia care.

2. Official Description

The official description of cpt 01520 is: ‘Anesthesia for procedures on veins of lower leg; 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 procedure on the veins of the lower leg.
3. The anesthesia provider administers any necessary medications and notes the types and amounts used.
4. The anesthesia provider uses standard monitoring services such as ECG, temperature, blood pressure, oximetry, capnography, and mass spectrometry.
5. Following the procedure, the anesthesia provider oversees the patient’s transfer to post anesthesia care.

4. Qualifying circumstances

cpt 01520 is used for patients undergoing procedures on the veins of the lower leg. This may include procedures such as vein ligation, vein stripping, or sclerotherapy. The anesthesia provider must perform a preoperative evaluation and administer anesthesia during the procedure. The patient’s health status and the complexity of the procedure may also be qualifying circumstances for the use of cpt 01520.

5. When to use cpt code 01520

cpt 01520 should be used when an anesthesia provider is involved in a procedure on the veins of the lower leg. This code is appropriate when the anesthesia provider performs a preoperative evaluation, administers anesthesia during the procedure, and oversees the patient’s transfer to post anesthesia care. It is important to ensure that the documentation supports the use of cpt 01520 and that the anesthesia time is accurately recorded.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for cpt 01520, the anesthesia provider must document the following information:

• Preoperative evaluation of the patient
• Administration of anesthesia during the procedure
• Types and amounts of medications administered
• Monitoring services used during the procedure
• Start and stop times of anesthesia care
• Transfer of the patient to post anesthesia care

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for cpt 01520, ensure that the anesthesia provider performs a preoperative evaluation, administers anesthesia during the procedure, and oversees the patient’s transfer to post anesthesia care. It is important to accurately record the anesthesia time and use the appropriate modifiers if required by the payer. If multiple anesthesia services are provided during the same encounter, report the most complex procedure code with the highest base unit value. Additional anesthesia services should be combined and billed as a single claim.

8. Historical information

cpt 01520 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. An anesthesia provider performing anesthesia services for a patient undergoing vein ligation on the lower leg.
2. An anesthesia provider administering anesthesia during a vein stripping procedure on the lower leg.
3. An anesthesia provider monitoring a patient during sclerotherapy on the veins of the lower leg.
4. An anesthesia provider overseeing the transfer of a patient to post anesthesia care following a procedure on the veins of the lower leg.
5. An anesthesia provider performing a preoperative evaluation and administering anesthesia during a procedure on the veins of the lower leg.
6. An anesthesia provider documenting the start and stop times of anesthesia care during a procedure on the veins of the lower leg.
7. An anesthesia provider using standard monitoring services such as ECG and oximetry during a procedure on the veins of the lower leg.
8. An anesthesia provider administering medications during a procedure on the veins of the lower leg.
9. An anesthesia provider performing a preoperative evaluation and administering anesthesia during a surgical procedure on the veins of the lower leg.
10. An anesthesia provider overseeing the transfer of a patient to post anesthesia care following a radiological procedure on the veins of the lower leg.