CPT 01440: Anesthesia for Knee and Popliteal Artery Procedures - OpenPayer

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Summary & Overview

CPT 01440: Anesthesia for Knee and Popliteal Artery Procedures

CPT code 01440 represents anesthesia services for procedures involving arteries of the knee and popliteal area, a critical component in vascular and orthopedic interventions. This code is nationally recognized and plays a significant role in ensuring accurate billing and reimbursement for anesthesia care in outpatient hospital settings. The publication provides a comprehensive overview of the clinical context, typical use cases, and payer coverage for this code, focusing on major insurers such as Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, and UnitedHealthcare.

Readers will gain insights into the benchmarks and policy updates relevant to 01440, including its application in procedures addressing conditions like osteoarthritis, meniscal injuries, and ligament repairs. The summary also highlights the importance of proper coding for anesthesia services, which supports both clinical documentation and compliance with payer requirements. By understanding the scope and utilization of CPT code 01440, stakeholders can better navigate the complexities of medical billing and policy in the context of knee and popliteal artery procedures.

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthUnitedHealthcareCPT 01440anesthesiologyoutpatient hospitalknee procedurespopliteal arterymedical billingclinical documentationpolicy updatesorthopedic surgeryvascular interventions

CPT Code Overview

CPT code 01440 is used to report anesthesia services for procedures performed on arteries of the knee and popliteal area. This code falls under the anesthesiology service type and is most commonly utilized in the outpatient hospital setting (Place of Service 22). The code is essential for accurately documenting and billing anesthesia care provided during vascular interventions in the knee region, ensuring proper reimbursement and compliance with national standards.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A typical patient scenario involves an adult presenting to an outpatient hospital setting with right knee pain, instability, or injury. The patient may have a diagnosis such as unilateral primary osteoarthritis, chronic instability, meniscal tear, or ligament sprain. The orthopedic surgeon schedules a procedure on the arteries of the knee or popliteal area, such as vascular repair or intervention, requiring anesthesia. An anesthesiologist or certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) provides anesthesia services for the duration of the procedure, ensuring patient safety and comfort throughout the surgical intervention.

Coding Specifications

Modifiers:
- QS: Monitored anesthesia care service. Used when the anesthesia provider delivers monitored anesthesia care (MAC) during the procedure.
- QX: CRNA service with medical direction by a physician. Used when a CRNA provides anesthesia services under the medical direction of a physician.
Provider Taxonomies:

Taxonomy Code Specialty Name

National Reimbursement Benchmarks

National mean rates for CPT code 01440 show significant variation between payers. The average commercial rate (BUCA) is $196.13, while UnitedHealth Group's mean rate is notably lower at $65.52. Blue Cross Blue Shield and Cigna report the highest mean rates, at $428.96 and $453.44 respectively.

Rate dispersion, measured by the difference between the 75th and 25th percentiles, is widest for Cigna ($603.50) and Aetna ($433.00), indicating substantial variability in contracted rates. UnitedHealth Group has the tightest range ($24.85), suggesting more consistent reimbursement levels. Blue Cross Blue Shield and BUCA also show moderate dispersion, with ranges of $242.24 and $266.83 respectively.

The table and chart below present a detailed breakdown of national benchmarks for each payer.

State Benchmarks

State: AK1 / 50

Alaska Benchmarks

Alaska displays a wide spread in reimbursement rates for CPT code 01440, with Blue Cross Blue Shield showing the largest range between the 25th and 75th percentiles ($583.75 minus $420.60 = $163.15), indicating substantial variability in payments. In contrast, Aetna, Cigna, and UnitedHealth Group have much narrower spreads, with their rates clustered closely around the lower percentiles, suggesting more uniform reimbursement practices. Compared to national averages, Alaska's mean rates for Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna are considerably higher, while UnitedHealth Group's mean rate remains below the national benchmark. This highlights Alaska's unique market dynamics, especially for Blue Cross Blue Shield.

The table and chart below present the full breakdown of payer-specific reimbursement rates for CPT code 01440 in Alaska, including mean rates and percentile distributions for each payer with available data.

Key Insights for Alaska

Blue Cross Blue Shield is the highest paying payer in Alaska for CPT 01440, with a mean rate of $509.51.
UnitedHealth Group offers the lowest mean rate at $74.78, significantly below both the state and national averages.
Alaska's mean rates for most payers, especially Blue Cross Blue Shield, are notably higher than national benchmarks, except for UnitedHealth Group, which remains low.

Related Codes

01620

CPT 01620: Anesthesia for Knee and Popliteal Area Procedures

01714

CPT 01714: Anesthesia for Tenoplasty Procedures, Upper Arm and Elbow

01730

CPT 01730: Anesthesia for Closed Procedures on Humerus and Elbow

01432

CPT 01432: Anesthesia for Knee and Popliteal Vein Arteriovenous Fistula Procedures

01212

CPT 01212: Anesthesia for Open Hip Joint Procedures, Hip Disarticulation

01272

CPT 01272: Anesthesia for Upper Leg Vascular Procedures (Femoral Artery)

01742

CPT 01742: Anesthesia for Upper Arm and Elbow Procedures

01215

CPT 01215: Anesthesia for Revision of Total Hip Arthroplasty

01444

CPT 01444: Anesthesia for Knee and Popliteal Artery Procedures

01402

CPT 01402: Anesthesia for Total Knee Arthroplasty

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