How To Use CPT Code 01961

cpt 01961 describes the anesthesia services provided for a cesarean delivery. This article will cover the description, official description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, and examples of cpt 01961.

1. What is cpt 01961?

cpt 01961 is a code used to describe the anesthesia services provided for a cesarean delivery. It encompasses the evaluation of the patient before the procedure, induction of anesthesia, monitoring during the delivery, administration of medications, and post-operative care. The anesthesia provider documents the types and amounts of medications administered, monitoring used, patient responses, and the start and stop times of anesthesia care.

2. Official Description

The official description of cpt 01961 is: ‘Anesthesia for cesarean delivery only.’

3. Procedure

The anesthesia provider performs a pre-operative evaluation of the patient before the cesarean delivery. They induce the patient and monitor them during the procedure, noting any medications administered and forms of monitoring used. After the procedure, the anesthesia provider oversees the patient’s transfer to post-anesthesia care.

4. Qualifying circumstances

cpt 01961 is used for anesthesia services provided specifically for a cesarean delivery. It is important to note that this code is only applicable for the anesthesia services and does not include the surgical procedure itself. The anesthesia provider must document the patient’s physical status and any qualifying circumstances, such as extreme age or emergency conditions.

5. When to use cpt code 01961

cpt 01961 should be used when anesthesia services are provided for a cesarean delivery. It is important to ensure that the anesthesia provider’s documentation supports the use of this code and that it is not reported if the anesthesia services are not specifically for a cesarean delivery.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for cpt 01961, the anesthesia provider must document the following information:

• Pre-operative evaluation of the patient
• Induction of anesthesia
• Monitoring during the cesarean delivery
• Types and amounts of medications administered
• Start and stop times of anesthesia care
• Transfer of the patient to post-anesthesia care

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for cpt 01961, ensure that the anesthesia services are specifically for a cesarean delivery. It is important to follow the guidelines provided by the payer regarding anesthesia time and unit calculation. Append the appropriate HCPCS modifiers to the anesthesia codes as required by the payer.

8. Historical information

cpt 01961 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2002. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. An anesthesia provider performing anesthesia services for a cesarean delivery.
2. An anesthesia provider evaluating a patient before a cesarean delivery and providing anesthesia care during the procedure.
3. An anesthesia provider monitoring a patient during a cesarean delivery and overseeing their transfer to post-anesthesia care.
4. An anesthesia provider administering medications and monitoring a patient during a cesarean delivery.
5. An anesthesia provider documenting the start and stop times of anesthesia care for a cesarean delivery.
6. An anesthesia provider providing post-operative care for a patient who underwent a cesarean delivery.
7. An anesthesia provider documenting the types and amounts of medications administered during a cesarean delivery.
8. An anesthesia provider using monitoring devices, such as ECG and oximetry, during a cesarean delivery.
9. An anesthesia provider documenting the patient’s physical status and any qualifying circumstances for a cesarean delivery.
10. An anesthesia provider appending the appropriate HCPCS modifiers to the anesthesia codes for a cesarean delivery.