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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesAnesthesia for Procedures on the HeadCPT cpt-00148-anesthesia-ophthalmoscopy
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    CPT 00148: Anesthesia for Ophthalmoscopy

    Commercial payers pay $73 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 00148 describes anesthesia services provided for a patient undergoing an ophthalmoscopy, indicating perioperative anesthesia care for an eye diagnostic or procedural ophthalmic examination; service type: anesthesia for ophthalmic procedure; typical site of service: ambulatory surgery center or hospital outpatient/inpatient surgical setting where ophthalmic procedures are performed.

    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

    Across national commercial payers, the BUCA average commercial rate of $73.10 sits near the middle of the insurer distribution, with Cigna ($91.20 mean) and Blue Cross Blue Shield ($72.60 mean) on the higher side of averages and Aetna ($61.60 mean) and UnitedHealth Group ($67.90 mean) slightly lower. Blue Cross Blue Shield reaches a high maximum ($216.70) while Cigna also shows elevated upper-end rates ($165.30), indicating greater potential variability above the BUCA average; Aetna’s and UnitedHealth Group’s maximums are more modest at $154.40 and $122.70, respectively.

    Examining interquartile dispersion (P75 minus P25) highlights who is tightest and widest: Blue Cross Blue Shield has a spread of $38.70 (from $51.20 to $94.90), UnitedHealth Group is relatively tight at $29.10 (from $52.00 to $81.10), and Aetna’s spread is $40.20 (from $42.00 to $81.20). Cigna shows the widest IQR at $40.90 (from $67.00 to $107.60), suggesting the most middle-range variability among these commercial payers.

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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 presents to an ambulatory ophthalmology surgical center for an ophthalmoscopic procedure requiring anesthesia services coded as 00148. The patient has a recent history of a drug-related ocular adverse effect (for example, topical ophthalmic anti‑infective reaction) requiring diagnostic or therapeutic ophthalmoscopy under sedation or monitored anesthesia care. Pre-procedure workflow includes anesthesia preoperative evaluation, airway assessment, review of medication allergies and prior adverse drug reactions, and informed consent for anesthesia. On the day of service the anesthesia team (anesthesiology physician or certified registered nurse anesthetist) provides monitored anesthesia care or general anesthesia as indicated, manages sedation/airway, administers intraoperative medications, and documents physiologic monitoring and emergence. Post-procedure, the anesthesia provider documents recovery, any sequelae related to prior drug adverse effects, and medical decision-making supporting the anesthesia level billed. Typical site of service is an ambulatory surgical center or hospital outpatient department where ophthalmology diagnostic and minor therapeutic procedures are performed under anesthesia.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    00140Anesthesia for procedures on eye; not otherwise specifiedAlternative anesthesia code for eye procedures when specific anatomic-based ophthalmoscopy code is not used.

    Related Modifiers

    9 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…
    54Modifier ‑54 (“Surgical care only”) is appended to a CPT surgical procedure when the reporting surgeon performs the intraoperative (surgical) component but does not furnish the preoperative and/or…- Use modifier -54 when the reporting surgeon provided only the intraoperative (surgical) component of a procedure and preoperative and/or postoperative management has been or will be provided by…
    55Modifier –55 indicates the billing provider furnished only postoperative management for a procedure that has a global surgical period. According to AAPC, this modifier is appended to the same CPT…- Use modifier -55 when billing the same CPT surgical code that has a 10- or 90-day global period and you, as a provider other than the original surgeon, furnished ONLY postoperative management (no…
    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…
    367500000XCertified Registered Nurse Anesthetist(1) A licensed registered nurse with advanced specialty education in anesthesia who, in collaboration with appropriate health care professionals, prov…
    207W00000XOphthalmology PhysicianAn ophthalmologist has the knowledge and professional skills needed to provide comprehensive eye and vision care. Ophthalmologists are medically train…
    2086S0122XPlastic and Reconstructive Surgery PhysicianA surgeon who specializes in plastic and reconstructive surgery.
    2471V0106XVascular-Interventional Technology Radiologic TechnologistA radiologic technologist who specializes in vascular interventional and is appropriately educated and trained, consistent with nationally recognized …
    2084P0301XBrain Injury Medicine (Psychiatry & Neurology) PhysicianA Brain Injury Medicine physician specializes in disorders of brain function due to injury and disease. These disorders encompass a range of medical,…
    175F00000XNaturopathDiagnoses, treats, and cares for patients, using system of practice that bases treatment of physiological functions and abnormal conditions on natural…
    2084P0005XNeurodevelopmental Disabilities PhysicianA neurologist who specializes in the treatment of individuals with developmental delays and learning disorders associated with cerebral palsy, spina b…

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Anesthesiology1 / 3

    10 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
    Mm_0579_Coveragepositioncriteria_Anesthesia_Services_Selected_Nerve_BlocksCigna2026-05-15
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric DisordersBlue Cross Blue Shield - North Carolina2026-04-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric DisordersBlue Cross Blue Shield - North Carolina2026-04-01

    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-00124-ANESTHESIA-EXTERNAL-MIDDLE-INNER-EAR-BIOPSY-OTOSCOPY

    CPT 00124: 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

    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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    00142Anesthesia for procedures on eye; lens surgeryUsed when anesthesia is provided for cataract or lens surgery, which may be performed in the same setting as diagnostic ophthalmoscopy or as a follow-up procedure.
    00144Anesthesia for procedures on eye; corneal transplantUsed when anesthesia is required for corneal transplant procedures; represents a related higher-complexity ocular anesthesia service.
    00145Anesthesia for procedures on eye; vitreoretinal surgeryUsed when anesthesia is provided for posterior segment surgery; relates to ophthalmoscopy when detailed retinal work-up or treatment is performed in the same episode.
    00147Anesthesia for procedures on eye; iridectomyUsed for anesthesia for anterior segment procedures such as iridectomy; relevant when multiple ocular procedures are performed during one anesthetic.