How To Use CPT Code 01832

cpt 01832 describes anesthesia services for open or surgical arthroscopic/endoscopic procedures on distal radius, distal ulna, wrist, or hand joints, specifically total wrist replacement. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, and examples of cpt 01832.

1. What is cpt 01832?

cpt 01832 is a code used to describe anesthesia services provided during total wrist replacement surgery. This procedure involves the replacement of the patient’s wrist joint with artificial parts, recreating the functionality of the wrist. Anesthesia is necessary to ensure the patient’s comfort and safety during the surgical procedure.

2. Official Description

The official description of cpt 01832 is: ‘Anesthesia for open or surgical arthroscopic/endoscopic procedures on distal radius, distal ulna, wrist, or hand joints; total wrist replacement.’

3. Procedure

The anesthesia provider performs several key responsibilities during total wrist replacement surgery. These include:

1. Performing a pre-operative evaluation of the patient to assess their overall health and determine the appropriate anesthesia plan.
2. Inducing anesthesia in the patient, ensuring they are in a state of unconsciousness and pain-free during the procedure.
3. Monitoring the patient’s vital signs and anesthesia levels throughout the surgery, making adjustments as necessary to maintain their safety and comfort.
4. Administering any necessary medications, such as pain relievers or muscle relaxants, during the procedure.
5. Documenting the types and amounts of medications administered, as well as the start and stop times of anesthesia care.
6. Overseeing the patient’s transfer to the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) following the surgery.

4. Qualifying circumstances

cpt 01832 is used for anesthesia services specifically related to total wrist replacement surgery. It is important to note that this code should only be used when the anesthesia provider is involved in the entire procedure, from induction to the patient’s transfer to the PACU. The anesthesia provider must be a qualified professional, 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 01832

cpt 01832 should be used when providing anesthesia services for total wrist replacement surgery. It is important to ensure that the anesthesia provider is present throughout the entire procedure, from induction to the patient’s transfer to the PACU. If the anesthesia provider is not involved in the entire procedure, a different anesthesia code may be more appropriate.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for cpt 01832, the anesthesia provider must document the following information:

• Pre-operative evaluation of the patient
• Start and stop times of anesthesia care
• Types and amounts of medications administered
• Monitoring services used, such as ECG, temperature, blood pressure, oximetry, capnography, and mass spectrometry
• Any unusual forms of monitoring used, such as Swan-Ganz catheters, intra-arterial lines, or central venous lines
• Transfer of the patient to the PACU

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for cpt 01832, it is important to ensure that the anesthesia provider is a qualified professional and that they are involved in the entire total wrist replacement procedure. The anesthesia time should be documented accurately, starting from the induction of anesthesia in the operating room or procedure room. The anesthesia provider should also assign the appropriate physical status modifier to describe the patient’s health status for anesthesia services.

8. Historical information

cpt 01832 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. There have been no updates or changes to the code since its addition.

9. Similar codes to cpt 01832

There are no specific similar codes provided for cpt 01832. However, other anesthesia codes may be applicable depending on the specific procedure being performed in addition to the total wrist replacement. It is important to review the range of anesthesia codes for procedures on the forearm, wrist, and hand (01810-01860) to determine if any additional codes should be reported.

9. Examples

Examples of cases where cpt 01832 may be billed include:

1. An anesthesiologist providing anesthesia services for a patient undergoing total wrist replacement surgery.
2. A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) administering anesthesia to a patient during total wrist replacement surgery.
3. An anesthesiologist assistant (AA) assisting in the administration of anesthesia for a patient undergoing total wrist replacement surgery.