Summary & Overview
CPT 01958: Anesthesia for External Cephalic Version
CPT code 01958 represents anesthesia for external cephalic version, a procedure performed to reposition a fetus from breech to cephalic presentation prior to delivery. This code is significant in obstetric care, as external cephalic version can reduce the need for cesarean sections and improve maternal and fetal outcomes. The code is most commonly billed in outpatient hospital settings and is relevant to anesthesiology professionals providing care during this intervention.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, and UnitedHealthcare. The publication provides a comprehensive overview of clinical context, typical billing practices, and policy updates related to CPT code 01958. Readers will gain insight into payer coverage, common modifiers, associated taxonomies, and relevant ICD-10 diagnoses for maternal care involving breech presentation. Additionally, the summary highlights related CPT codes for anesthesia during vaginal and cesarean deliveries, offering a broader perspective on anesthesia billing in obstetric settings.
This article is designed for healthcare professionals, billing specialists, and policy analysts seeking up-to-date information on anesthesia coding for external cephalic version. It delivers benchmarks, clinical context, and policy considerations to support accurate and compliant billing practices nationwide.
CPT Code Overview
CPT code 01958 is used to report anesthesia services provided for external cephalic version procedures. This code falls under the anesthesiology service type and is typically performed in an outpatient hospital setting (Place of Service 22). External cephalic version is a clinical intervention aimed at turning a fetus from a breech position to a head-down position before delivery, requiring specialized anesthesia care to ensure patient comfort and safety during the procedure.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A pregnant patient presents to the outpatient hospital with a breech fetal presentation, as identified by clinical assessment or ultrasound. The obstetrician recommends an external cephalic version (ECV) to attempt to reposition the fetus to a cephalic (head-down) position prior to delivery. An anesthesiologist is consulted to provide anesthesia for the ECV procedure, ensuring patient comfort and safety during the manipulation. The procedure is typically performed in a controlled setting with monitoring, and anesthesia may be delivered as monitored anesthesia care or other appropriate techniques, depending on patient and provider preference.
Coding Specifications
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Modifier
QS: Indicates that monitored anesthesia care (MAC) was provided during the procedure. Used when the anesthesiologist is present and monitoring the patient, but not necessarily providing general anesthesia. -
Modifier
P1: Denotes that the patient is a normal, healthy individual with no systemic disease. Used to indicate the physical status of the patient for anesthesia risk assessment.
| Modifier Code | Description |
|---|---|
QS |