Summary & Overview
CPT 01442: Anesthesia for Knee and Popliteal Area Procedures
CPT code 01442 represents anesthesia services for procedures involving the knee and popliteal area, a critical component in surgical care for orthopedic interventions. This code is widely recognized across major national payers, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, and UnitedHealthcare, ensuring broad coverage for patients undergoing knee surgeries in inpatient hospital settings.
The publication provides a comprehensive overview of 01442, detailing its clinical context, typical use cases, and associated billing practices. Readers will gain insight into relevant modifiers such as QS for monitored anesthesia care and QX for certified registered nurse anesthetist services with physician direction. The article also highlights associated taxonomies, including anesthesiology and orthopaedic surgery, and outlines common ICD-10 diagnoses linked to knee procedures, such as primary osteoarthritis and the presence of artificial knee joints.
Additionally, the summary includes related CPT codes for surgical procedures on the knee, offering a broader perspective on how anesthesia services integrate with orthopedic care. The publication is designed to inform healthcare professionals, billing specialists, and policy analysts about current benchmarks, policy updates, and clinical considerations for anesthesia billing in knee and popliteal procedures.
CPT Code Overview
CPT code 01442 is used to report anesthesia services for procedures performed on the knee and popliteal area. This code applies specifically to anesthesia administered during surgical interventions targeting these anatomical regions. The service type is anesthesia, and the typical site of service is an inpatient hospital setting (Place of Service 21). This code is essential for accurately documenting and billing anesthesia care provided during knee and popliteal procedures.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient scenario involves an adult admitted to an inpatient hospital for surgical intervention on the knee due to conditions such as unilateral primary osteoarthritis or the presence of an artificial knee joint. The patient may require procedures like total knee arthroplasty, arthroscopy, or aspiration/injection into the knee joint. Anesthesia services are provided to ensure patient comfort and safety during these procedures, with the anesthesia team coordinating care before, during, and after the operation.
Coding Specifications
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Modifiers:
Modifier Code Description When Used QSMonitored anesthesia care service Used when anesthesia is provided as monitored anesthesia care rather than general anesthesia. QXCRNA service with medical direction by a physician Used when a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) provides anesthesia under the medical direction of a physician.