CPT 00532: Anesthesia for Central Venous Access
Commercial payers pay $87 on average nationally for this procedure.
CPT code 00532 describes anesthesia services provided for procedures that establish or access the central venous circulation (major veins draining to the heart); the service is an anesthesia for central venous access commonly performed in an operating room or interventional suite and involves management of airway, hemodynamic monitoring, and pain control while another clinician obtains venous entry for cardiac treatment or monitoring.
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 rates for CPT 00532 cluster around BUCA’s average commercial benchmark of $86.70, with notable variation among major carriers. Aetna and Cigna show higher central tendencies (Aetna mean $139.20, Cigna mean $91.40) while Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) and UnitedHealth Group sit lower (BCBS mean $73.90, UnitedHealth Group mean $67.90). BUCA’s mean provides a middle reference point for commercial reimbursement expectations.
Dispersion measured by the interquartile range (P75−P25) highlights differences in consistency: Aetna’s IQR is $100.50, Cigna’s is $41.50, BCBS’s is $39.00, BUCA’s is $46.30, and UnitedHealth Group’s is $29.09. Aetna exhibits the widest spread, indicating the largest variability in negotiated commercial rates, while UnitedHealth Group is the tightest, suggesting more consistent commercial pricing.