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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesAnesthesia for Procedures on the HeadCPT cpt-00210-intracranial-anesthesia-unspecified-intracranial-procedure
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    CPT 00210: Anesthesia for Unlisted Intracranial Procedures

    Commercial payers pay $91 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 00210 describes anesthesia services provided for patients undergoing intracranial surgical procedures that are not specifically represented by another anesthesia code; this represents general anesthesia care for intracranial operations, typically rendered in an inpatient operating room or an ambulatory surgical center and billed as an anesthesia service tied to the intracranial surgical procedure.

    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

    National commercial reimbursement for CPT 00210 centers on a BUCA average of $91.00 as a benchmark for commercial markets, with individual payer medians and means varying around that level. Blue Cross Blue Shield median and mean values sit below BUCA, while Aetna and Cigna present higher central tendencies; UnitedHealth Group is closer to BUCA. BUCA’s interquartile range (P75–P25 = $121.70 - $58.50) equals $63.20, reflecting moderate dispersion for the aggregate commercial benchmark.

    Comparing payer dispersion using P75 minus P25 highlights where rates are tightest and widest: Blue Cross Blue Shield’s IQR is $81.59 - $46.20 = $35.39 (tightest), UnitedHealth Group’s IQR is $80.80 - $52.00 = $28.80 (also tight and actually the tightest), Cigna’s IQR is $119.90 - $67.70 = $52.20 (moderate), and Aetna’s IQR is $284.70 - $93.00 = $191.70 (widest). This indicates Aetna has the largest spread in commercial rates while UnitedHealth Group and Blue Cross Blue Shield are the most compressed.

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    National Payer Mean Reimbursement Rates

    State Reimbursement Rates

    State: Alaska1 / 51

    Rate by payer

    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 58-year-old male with a history of chronic sialolithiasis (K11.5) presents for surgical exploration and removal of an obstructing salivary gland stone with possible gland excision under general anesthesia. Preoperative evaluation by the anesthesiology team includes airway assessment given prior radiation and intermittent dysphagia, review of comorbidities, and medication reconciliation. On the day of surgery the anesthesiologist places standard monitors, induces general endotracheal anesthesia, manages neuromuscular blockade during the intraoral procedure, and provides emergence and immediate post-anesthesia care in the PACU. Continuous intraoperative monitoring may include EEG if neural monitoring is required.

    Typical site of service: ambulatory surgery center or hospital operating room.

    Typical patient scenario: adult with K11.5 presenting for intracranial-procedure-level anesthesia code usage when the intracranial anesthesia services are not otherwise specified, requiring full perioperative anesthetic management, potential invasive monitoring, and postoperative handoff to PACU or ICU depending on intraoperative events.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    95700-95726Continuous electroencephalographic monitoring services

    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…
    2085R0001XRadiation Oncology PhysicianA radiologist who deals with the therapeutic applications of radiant energy and its modifiers and the study and management of disease, especially mali…
    152WC0802XCorneal and Contact Management OptometristThe professional activities performed by an Optometrist related to the fitting of contact lenses to an eye, ongoing evaluation of the cornea's ability…
    273R00000XPsychiatric Hospital UnitIn general, a distinct unit of a hospital that provides acute or long-term care to emotionally disturbed patients, including patients admitted for dia…
    2086P0122XPhysician Nutrition Specialist (Surgery)A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of primary nutritional diseases (e.g., undernutrition, overnutrition, and genetic or acquir…
    122300000XDentistA dentist is a person qualified by a doctorate in dental surgery (D.D.S.) or dental medicine (D.M.D.), licensed by the state to practice dentistry, an…

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    27 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C71.3Malignant neoplasm of parietal lobe
    C71.7Malignant neoplasm of brain stem
    C71.9Malignant neoplasm of brain, unspecified
    D33.9Benign neoplasm of central nervous system, unspecified
    G44.1Vascular headache, not elsewhere classified
    G45.9Transient cerebral ischemic attack, unspecified
    G91.9Hydrocephalus, unspecified
    G93.1Anoxic brain damage, not elsewhere classified
    G93.2Benign intracranial hypertension
    G93.5Compression of brain

    Showing 1–10 of 27

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Anesthesiology1 / 3

    9 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

    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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    EEG monitoring may be used intraoperatively or postoperatively for neurologic surveillance when anesthetic depth or neurologic status requires continuous monitoring.