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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesAnesthesia for Intrathoracic ProceduresCPT cpt-00500-anesthesia-esophagus-procedure
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    CPT 00500: Anesthesia for Esophageal Procedure

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

    CPT code 00500 describes anesthesia services provided for a patient undergoing a procedure on the esophagus (the food pipe); service type: anesthesia for esophageal surgery or diagnostic intervention, typical site of service: operating room or procedure suite where esophageal 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 markets for CPT 00500, BUCA’s average commercial rate sits at $72.6, providing a middle benchmark among major payers. Blue Cross Blue Shield has a median of $58.6 and a 25th–75th spread from $46.5 to $84.1, while Aetna’s distribution is broader with a median of $53 and quartiles from $42 to $95; Cigna registers a higher central tendency with a median of $85.7 and quartiles from $67.5 to $120. UnitedHealth Group’s median is $64 with quartiles from $52 to $80.8. Cigna posts the highest mean ($92.4) and Aetna the highest single observed maximum ($325.7).

    Comparing dispersion (P75 minus P25) highlights which payers are tightest or widest: Blue Cross Blue Shield’s interquartile range is $37.6, UnitedHealth Group’s is $28.8, and BUCA’s is $40.1. Aetna shows a wide interquartile spread of $53.0, and Cigna’s spread is $52.5, identifying Aetna and Cigna as the most dispersed payers and UnitedHealth Group as relatively tightest among these carriers.

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    National Payer Mean Reimbursement Rates

    State Reimbursement Rates

    State: Alaska1 / 51

    Rate by payer

    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 62-year-old male with a history of tobacco use and progressive hoarseness is diagnosed with C32.0 (malignant neoplasm of glottis) and scheduled for an endoscopic esophageal or laryngopharyngeal procedure that requires general anesthesia and airway management. Preoperative evaluation documents partial vocal cord paralysis (J38.00) and prior tracheostomy with a recent infectious complication (J95.02). The anesthesia team evaluates airway risk, plans for awake or asleep fiberoptic-assisted intubation or use of a specialized laryngeal mask when feasible, and coordinates with otolaryngology for intraoperative airway control. Typical perioperative workflow includes pre-anesthesia assessment, airway device selection and preparation for surgical exposure of the esophagus and surrounding structures, induction of anesthesia with consideration of aspiration and airway obstruction risk, intraoperative monitoring (standard ASA monitors, capnography, neuromuscular blockade monitoring as indicated), and postoperative transfer to PACU or ICU for airway observation. The procedure is most commonly provided in an ambulatory surgical center or hospital operating room depending on complexity and comorbidities.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    00528

    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.
    367H00000XAnesthesiologist AssistantAn individual certified by the state to perform anesthesia services under the direct supervision of an anesthesiologist. Anesthesiologist Assistants …
    2085H0002XHospice and Palliative Medicine (Radiology) PhysicianA radiologist with special knowledge and skills to prevent and relieve the suffering experienced by patients with life-limiting illnesses. This specia…
    1744R1102XResearch Study SpecialistOther Service Providers · Specialist
    207XP3100XPediatric Orthopaedic Surgery PhysicianAn orthopedic surgeon who has additional training and experience in diagnosing, treating and managing musculoskeletal problems in infants, children an…
    213EP0504XPublic Medicine PodiatristPodiatric Medicine & Surgery Service Providers · Podiatrist
    251G00000XCommunity Based Hospice Care AgencyAgencies · Hospice Care, Community Based

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    28 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C15.3Malignant neoplasm of upper third of esophagus
    C15.4Malignant neoplasm of middle third of esophagus
    C15.9Malignant neoplasm of esophagus, unspecified
    C32.0Malignant neoplasm of glottis
    E87.8Other disorders of electrolyte and fluid balance, not elsewhere classified
    I85.00Esophageal varices without bleeding
    I85.01Esophageal varices with bleeding
    J38.00Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, unspecified
    J95.02Infection of tracheostomy stoma
    J96.00Acute respiratory failure, unspecified whether with hypoxia or hypercapnia

    Showing 1–10 of 28

    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-00520-ANESTHESIA-CLOSED-CHEST-BRONCHOSCOPY

    CPT 00520: Anesthesia for Closed Chest Procedures, Bronchoscopy

    CPT-00522-NEEDLE-PLEURAL-BIOPSY-ANESTHESIA-CLOSED-CHEST

    CPT 00522: Anesthesia for Pleural Needle Biopsy

    CPT-00524-ANESTHESIA-CLOSED-CHEST-PNEUMOCENTESIS

    CPT 00524: Anesthesia for Closed-Chest Pneumocentesis

    CPT-00528-ANESTHESIA-MEDIASTINOSCOPY-DIAGNOSTIC-THORACOSCOPY

    CPT 00528: Anesthesia for Mediastinoscopy and Diagnostic Thoracoscopy

    CPT-00529-ANESTHESIA-MEDIASTINOSCOPY-ONE-LUNG-VENTILATION

    CPT 00529: Anesthesia for Mediastinoscopy/Thoracoscopy with One-Lung Ventilation

    CPT-00530-ANESTHESIA-PERMANENT-TRANSVENOUS-PACEMAKER-INSERTION

    CPT 00530: Anesthesia for Permanent Transvenous Pacemaker Insertion

    CPT-00532-ANESTHESIA-FOR-CENTRAL-VENOUS-ACCESS

    CPT 00532: Anesthesia for Central Venous Access

    CPT-00534-ANESTHESIA-FOR-TRANSVENOUS-CARDIOVERTER-DEFIBRILLATOR-INSERTION

    CPT 00534: Anesthesia for Transvenous Cardioverter–Defibrillator Insertion

    CPT-00537-CARDIAC-ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY-ANESTHESIA

    CPT 00537: Anesthesia for Cardiac Electrophysiology Procedures

    CPT-00539-TRACHEOBRONCHIAL-RECONSTRUCTION-ANESTHESIA

    CPT 00539: Anesthesia for Tracheobronchial Reconstruction

    Showing 1–10 of 23

    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.

    Anesthesia for closed chest procedures; mediastinoscopy
    May be billed when anesthesia is provided for mediastinoscopy performed in the same operative session or when the surgical plan includes mediastinal evaluation in addition to esophageal work.