Anesthesia Coding Flashcards
7 cards from real CPC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Anesthesia Coding flashcards as text
Which type of anesthesia blocks sensation in a specific body region without causing loss of consciousness?
Answer: Regional anesthesia
Regional anesthesia—including spinal blocks, epidurals, and peripheral nerve blocks—affects a defined anatomical area while the patient remains awake and conscious.
Epidural anesthesia administered for obstetric labor falls under which CPT code range?
Answer: 01960–01969
Obstetric anesthesia codes, including epidurals and spinals for labor and delivery, are found in the 01960–01969 range near the end of the anesthesia section.
When does anesthesia time officially begin for billing purposes?
Answer: When the anesthesiologist begins preparing the patient for anesthesia induction in the operating suite
Anesthesia time begins when the anesthesiologist starts preparing the patient for anesthesia induction in the operating or procedure room, not during pre-operative assessment.
Modifier 23 is appended to an anesthesia code when:
Answer: A procedure that normally requires local or no anesthesia requires general anesthesia due to unusual circumstances
Modifier 23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used when a procedure that would typically require only local or no anesthesia requires general anesthesia because of the patient's condition.
What is the primary purpose of the anesthesia base unit value assigned to each CPT code?
Answer: To reflect the inherent complexity and risk of providing anesthesia for a specific procedure, independent of time
Base units represent the fixed complexity, skill, and risk associated with a specific procedure's anesthesia, remaining constant regardless of how long the case takes.
What correctly describes the conversion factor in anesthesia billing?
Answer: A dollar amount set by the payer that converts total anesthesia units into a payment amount
The conversion factor is a payer-specific dollar amount that is multiplied by the total anesthesia units (B+T+M) to determine the final reimbursement amount.
Which statement about anesthesia code 99135 (controlled hypotension) is correct?
Answer: It is a qualifying circumstance code reported in addition to the primary anesthesia code
Code 99135 is a qualifying circumstance add-on code reported alongside the primary anesthesia code, adding one unit to the formula for cases requiring deliberate hypotension.