How To Use CPT Code 01931

cpt 01931 describes the anesthesia services provided by a healthcare professional during therapeutic interventional radiological procedures involving the venous/lymphatic system, specifically the intrahepatic or portal circulation. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, and examples of cpt 01931.

1. What is cpt 01931?

cpt 01931 is used to describe the anesthesia services provided by a healthcare professional during therapeutic interventional radiological procedures involving the venous/lymphatic system, specifically the intrahepatic or portal circulation. This code is used when the anesthesia provider administers anesthesia to a patient undergoing procedures on the blood circulation within the liver.

2. Official Description

The official description of cpt 01931 is: ‘Anesthesia for therapeutic interventional radiological procedures involving the venous/lymphatic system (not to include access to the central circulation); intrahepatic or portal circulation (eg, transvenous intrahepatic portosystemic shunt[s] [TIPS]).’

3. Procedure

The anesthesia provider performs the following steps during cpt 01931:

1. Pre-operative evaluation: The anesthesia provider evaluates the patient before the procedure to assess their overall health and determine the appropriate anesthesia plan.
2. Anesthesia induction: The anesthesia provider administers anesthesia to the patient, ensuring they are in a state of unconsciousness and pain-free during the procedure.
3. Monitoring: The anesthesia provider closely monitors the patient’s vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and carbon dioxide levels, throughout the procedure.
4. Medication administration: The anesthesia provider administers medications as necessary to maintain the patient’s anesthesia and manage any pain or discomfort.
5. Documentation: The anesthesia provider documents the types and amounts of medications administered, the monitoring used, the patient’s responses, and the start and stop times of anesthesia care.
6. Post-anesthesia care: After the procedure, the anesthesia provider oversees the patient’s transfer to the post-anesthesia care unit and ensures their safe recovery from anesthesia.

4. Qualifying circumstances

cpt 01931 is used for patients undergoing therapeutic interventional radiological procedures involving the venous/lymphatic system, specifically the intrahepatic or portal circulation. This may include procedures such as transvenous intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) for patients with portal hypertension. The anesthesia provider must administer anesthesia during these procedures to qualify for cpt 01931.

5. When to use cpt code 01931

cpt 01931 should be used when a healthcare professional provides anesthesia services during therapeutic interventional radiological procedures involving the intrahepatic or portal circulation. It is important to note that cpt 01931 does not include access to the central circulation. If the procedure involves access to the central circulation, a different anesthesia code should be used.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for cpt 01931, the anesthesia provider must document the following information:

• Patient’s pre-operative evaluation and overall health assessment
• Types and amounts of medications administered during anesthesia
• Monitoring used during the procedure, including ECG, temperature, blood pressure, oximetry, capnography, and mass spectrometry
• Patient’s responses to anesthesia and any complications or adverse events
• Start and stop times of anesthesia care
• Signature of the anesthesia provider

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for cpt 01931, ensure that the anesthesia provider administers anesthesia during therapeutic interventional radiological procedures involving the intrahepatic or portal circulation. It is important to note that cpt 01931 does not include access to the central circulation. If the procedure involves access to the central circulation, a different anesthesia code should be used. Follow the specific billing guidelines provided by the payer, including any required modifiers or additional documentation.

8. Historical information

cpt 01931 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2002. It underwent a code change on January 1, 2008, with an updated description to include the specific procedure of transcutaneous porto-caval shunt (TIPS).

9. Examples

1. An anesthesia provider administering anesthesia during a transvenous intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure for a patient with portal hypertension.
2. An anesthesia provider providing anesthesia services during a therapeutic interventional radiological procedure on the intrahepatic circulation for a patient with liver disease.
3. An anesthesia provider administering anesthesia during a procedure to treat a venous obstruction within the liver.
4. An anesthesia provider providing anesthesia services during a radiological procedure involving the portal circulation for a patient with a liver tumor.
5. An anesthesia provider administering anesthesia during a procedure to treat a lymphatic system disorder within the liver.
6. An anesthesia provider providing anesthesia services during a therapeutic interventional radiological procedure on the intrahepatic circulation for a patient with a liver abscess.
7. An anesthesia provider administering anesthesia during a transvenous intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure for a patient with cirrhosis.
8. An anesthesia provider providing anesthesia services during a radiological procedure involving the portal circulation for a patient with a liver cyst.