How To Use CPT Code 01951

cpt 01951 describes the anesthesia services provided for second- and third-degree burn excision or debridement procedures, with or without skin grafting, for less than 4% of the total body surface area (TBSA) treated during anesthesia and surgery. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, and examples of cpt 01951.

1. What is cpt 01951?

cpt 01951 is a code used to describe the anesthesia services provided for second- and third-degree burn excision or debridement procedures. This code specifically applies to cases where less than 4% of the total body surface area (TBSA) is treated during anesthesia and surgery. Anesthesia is administered to ensure the patient’s comfort and safety during the procedure.

2. Official Description

The official description of cpt 01951 is: ‘Anesthesia for second- and third-degree burn excision or debridement with or without skin grafting, any site, for total body surface area (TBSA) treated during anesthesia and surgery; less than 4% total body surface area.’

3. Procedure

The anesthesia provider performs a pre-operative evaluation of the patient before the burn excision or debridement procedure. During the procedure, the anesthesia provider induces the patient and monitors them throughout the surgery. The surgical provider performs the excision or debridement of the burn, which may or may not include skin grafting. The anesthesia provider documents the medications administered, 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 01951 is used for cases where the patient requires anesthesia services for second- and third-degree burn excision or debridement procedures. The procedure must involve less than 4% of the total body surface area (TBSA) being treated during anesthesia and surgery. The anesthesia services are typically provided by a qualified anesthesiologist, doctor of medicine or osteopathy, dentist, oral surgeon, podiatrist, certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), or anesthesiologist assistant (AA) under the supervision of an operating surgeon or anesthesiologist.

5. When to use cpt code 01951

cpt 01951 should be used when providing anesthesia services for second- and third-degree burn excision or debridement procedures involving less than 4% of the total body surface area (TBSA) during anesthesia and surgery. It is important to accurately document the extent of the burn being treated to ensure proper coding and billing.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for cpt 01951, the anesthesia provider must document the following information:

• Extent of the burn being treated (less than 4% TBSA)
• Start and stop times of anesthesia care
• Medications administered during anesthesia
• Monitoring used during anesthesia (e.g., ECG, temperature, blood pressure, oximetry, capnography, mass spectrometry)
• Patient responses during anesthesia
• Transfer of the patient to post-anesthesia care

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for cpt 01951, ensure that the anesthesia services are provided for second- and third-degree burn excision or debridement procedures involving less than 4% of the total body surface area (TBSA). It is important to accurately document the extent of the burn being treated to support the claim. Follow the specific billing guidelines provided by the payer, including any required modifiers or additional documentation.

8. Historical information

cpt 01951 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2001. There have been two historical changes to the code since its addition. On January 1, 2002, the code description was updated to specify “less than one percent total body surface area” instead of “less than four percent total body surface area.” Then, on January 1, 2008, the code description was further revised to its current form, specifying “less than four percent total body surface area.”

9. Similar codes to cpt 01951

Five similar codes to cpt 01951 include:

• cpt 01952: Anesthesia for second- and third-degree burn excision or debridement with or without skin grafting, any site, for total body surface area (TBSA) treated during anesthesia and surgery; 4% to 9% total body surface area
• cpt 01953: Anesthesia for second- and third-degree burn excision or debridement with or without skin grafting, any site, for total body surface area (TBSA) treated during anesthesia and surgery; 10% or more total body surface area
• cpt 01955: Anesthesia for burn procedures (eg, dressing changes, debridement, grafting) other than excision, incision, or excisional debridement
• cpt 01956: Anesthesia for burn procedures (eg, dressing changes, debridement, grafting) other than excision, incision, or excisional debridement; each additional 100 sq cm or each additional 1% of body area of infants and children (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
• cpt 01958: Anesthesia for burn procedures (eg, dressing changes, debridement, grafting) other than excision, incision, or excisional debridement; each additional 100 sq cm or each additional 1% of body area of adults (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)

9. Examples

1. An anesthesiologist providing anesthesia services for the excision of a second-degree burn on the arm, covering 2% of the total body surface area.
2. A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) administering anesthesia for the debridement of a third-degree burn on the leg, involving 3% of the total body surface area.
3. An anesthesiologist assistant (AA) assisting with anesthesia for the excision and skin grafting of a second-degree burn on the abdomen, covering 1.5% of the total body surface area.