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    OpenPayerBilling CodesAnesthesia for Procedures on the HeadCPT cpt-00124-anesthesia-external-middle-inner-ear-biopsy-otoscopy
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    CPT 00124: Anesthesia for External, Middle, and Inner Ear Procedures

    Commercial payers pay $75 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 00124 describes anesthesia services provided for procedures involving the external, middle, and inner ear, including biopsy and otoscopy; the service is an anesthesia procedure typically delivered in an operating room or procedure suite for diagnostic or surgical ear interventions.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use Disorders, Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use Disorders, Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use Disorders.

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    National Reimbursement Benchmarks

    BUCA (average commercial) centers the national commercial landscape for CPT 00124 with a mean of $75.10 and an interquartile spread from $53.70 to $94.90. Among individual payers, Cigna posts the highest mean at $91.40 and a relatively wide IQR ($107.10 - $67.60 = $39.50), reflecting broader price dispersion. Blue Cross Blue Shield averages $73.50 with a tighter middle range ($95.50 - $53.60 = $41.90) comparable to Aetna and UnitedHealth Group when considering their IQRs.

    Aetna’s interquartile range ($93.80 - $42.00 = $51.80) is the widest, indicating the greatest variation in middle 50% commercial reimbursements, while UnitedHealth Group is the tightest with an IQR of $81.40 - $52.00 = $29.40. Blue Cross Blue Shield and BUCA show moderate dispersion; Cigna shows broader dispersion despite a higher central tendency. Min/max extremes for select payers further expand observed variability but are not available for BUCA.

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    National Payer Mean Reimbursement Rates

    State Reimbursement Rates

    State: Alaska1 / 51

    Rate by payer

    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 68-year-old patient with chronic combined systolic and diastolic heart failure (I50.42) presents for an otologic procedure requiring biopsy and otoscopy of the external, middle, and inner ear under general anesthesia. The preoperative evaluation includes cardiac risk assessment, medication reconciliation (including holding or adjusting anticoagulants), and informed consent. The anesthesiology team documents ASA physical status P3 due to moderate systemic disease and coordinates intraoperative monitoring (continuous ECG, pulse oximetry, blood pressure, capnography). Intraoperatively, general endotracheal anesthesia is induced, and short-acting agents are chosen to minimize hemodynamic instability. The surgeon performs otoscopy and obtains biopsy specimens from the external auditory canal and middle ear; irrigation and suctioning occur as needed. Postoperative care includes monitoring in the post-anesthesia care unit with attention to volume status and respiratory function given underlying heart failure. Discharge planning documents return precautions and follow-up with otolaryngology and cardiology as indicated.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    00120ANESTHESIA EXTERNAL MIDDLE & INNER EAR W/BX NOSAlternate anesthesia code used for external, middle, and inner ear biopsies when documentation does not match the more specific code set; used when coding specificity differs.

    Related Modifiers

    7 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    207LA0401XAddiction Medicine (Anesthesiology) PhysicianAn anesthesiologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of addictions.
    207LC0200XCritical Care Medicine (Anesthesiology) PhysicianAn anesthesiologist, who specializes in critical care medicine diagnoses, treats and supports patients with multiple organ dysfunction. This specialis…
    103TE1000XDeactivated - Psychologist
    133V00000XRegistered DietitianA Registered Dietitian (RD)/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) is an individual uniquely trained in the science of nutrition and practice of diet…
    207QD0401XDiabetology (Family Medicine) PhysicianA family medicine physician who specializes in diagnosis and management of type 1, type 2, gestational, and atypical diabetes; diabetes complications;…
    207PS0010XSports Medicine (Emergency Medicine) PhysicianAn emergency physician with special knowledge in sports medicine is responsible for continuous care in the field of sports medicine, not only for the …
    126900000XDental Laboratory TechnicianAn individual who has the skill and knowledge in the fabrication of dental appliances, prostheses and devices in accordance with a dentist's laborator…

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Anesthesiology1 / 2

    7 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Elective Inpatient Services (for Idaho Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-06-01
    Sites of Servicepriority health2026-06-01
    Coverage for Ambulatory Surgery Unit (ASU)/Outpatient Facility and Anesthesia for Dental Servicesuniverahealthcare2026-05-21

    Related Codes

    CPT-00100-ANESTHESIA-FOR-SALIVARY-GLAND-PROCEDURES

    CPT 00100: Anesthesia for Salivary Gland Procedures

    CPT-00102-ANESTHESIA-CLEFT-LIP-REPAIR

    CPT 00102: Anesthesia for Plastic Repair of Cleft Lip

    CPT-00103-ANESTHESIA-RECONSTRUCTIVE-EYELID-SURGERY

    CPT 00103: Anesthesia for Reconstructive Eyelid Procedures

    CPT-00104-ANESTHESIA-FOR-ELECTROCONVULSIVE-THERAPY

    CPT 00104: Anesthesia for Electroconvulsive Therapy

    CPT-00120-ANESTHESIA-FOR-EAR-PROCEDURES

    CPT 00120: Anesthesia for External, Middle, and Inner Ear Procedures

    CPT-00126-ANESTHESIA-FOR-OTOLOGIC-PROCEDURES-TYMPANOTOMY-BIOPSY

    CPT 00126: Anesthesia for External, Middle, and Inner Ear Procedures

    CPT-00140-ANESTHESIA-FOR-EYE-PROCEDURE-OPHTHALMIC-SURGERY

    CPT 00140: Anesthesia for Eye Procedure

    CPT-00142-ANESTHESIA-FOR-EYE-LENS-PROCEDURE

    CPT 00142: Anesthesia for Eye Lens Procedure

    CPT-00144-ANESTHESIA-CORNEAL-TRANSPLANT

    CPT 00144: Anesthesia for Corneal Transplant

    CPT-00145-ANESTHESIA-VITREORETINAL-SURGERY

    CPT 00145: Anesthesia for Vitreoretinal Surgery

    Showing 1–10 of 30

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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    Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.

    00126ANES XTRNL MID & INNER EAR W/BX TYMPANOTOMYRelated anesthesia code used when tympanotomy is part of the ear biopsy procedure; selected when tympanostomy/tympanotomy is performed in addition to biopsy.