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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesAnesthesia for Intrathoracic ProceduresCPT cpt-00540-anesthesia-thoracotomy-procedure
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    CPT 00540: Anesthesia for Thoracotomy Procedures

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

    CPT code 00540 describes anesthesia services provided when the surgical team performs a thoracotomy, used for procedures that open the chest to treat or evaluate intrathoracic structures; the service type is anesthesia for thoracic surgical procedures and the typical site of service is an operating room or other procedural suite where thoracotomy is 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

    For CPT 00540, BUCA’s mean commercial rate of $75.40 serves as a practical market reference point; it sits between higher averages such as Aetna ($103.50) and Cigna ($92.80) and lower means like Blue Cross Blue Shield ($62.90) and UnitedHealth Group ($67.30). Aetna also shows the highest single observed maximum at $369.40, indicating occasional outliers above the commercial cohort, while Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealth Group have lower ceilings at $183.80 and $122.70 respectively.

    Examining dispersion using the interquartile range (P75–P25) highlights variation: Aetna’s IQR is $87.90 (P75 $131.40 minus P25 $45.00), Cigna’s is $52.20 (P75 $120.00 minus P25 $67.80), BUCA’s is $47.80 (P75 $97.20 minus P25 $49.40), Blue Cross Blue Shield’s is $43.30 (P75 $83.70 minus P25 $44.40), and UnitedHealth Group’s is $28.80 (P75 $80.80 minus P25 $52.00). UnitedHealth Group shows the tightest middle distribution, while Aetna displays the widest spread across the interquartile band.

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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 chronic smoking and progressive dyspnea is admitted with right-sided pleuritic chest pain and imaging showing a large pleural effusion and a suspicious pulmonary mass. The thoracic surgery team schedules an open thoracotomy for diagnostic exploration, pleural biopsy, and possible resection or pleurectomy. The anesthesiology team performs preoperative evaluation focusing on pulmonary function, optimization of comorbidities, and airway assessment. Intraoperative management includes induction of general anesthesia, arterial line placement for continuous blood pressure monitoring, large-bore IV access, and multimodal analgesia. One-lung ventilation may be established if required for exposure, but the primary service is an open thoracotomy rather than a procedure specifically described by another chest anesthesia code. Postoperative care includes extubation in the operating room or ICU based on respiratory status, chest tube management, and monitoring for complications such as pneumothorax, persistent air leak, or respiratory failure. Typical payors for the perioperative episode include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, BUCA, and Medicare.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    00541Anesthesia for procedure in chest with one lung ventilationUsed when thoracotomy requires deliberate one-lung ventilation for surgical exposure; may be reported when that specific anesthesia complexity is provided.

    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…
    208G00000XThoracic Surgery (Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgery) PhysicianA thoracic surgeon provides the operative, perioperative and critical care of patients with pathologic conditions within the chest. Included is the su…
    163WP0200XPediatric Registered NurseNursing Service Providers · Registered Nurse
    2080P0207XPediatric Hematology & Oncology PhysicianA pediatrician trained in the combination of pediatrics, hematology and oncology to recognize and manage pediatric blood disorders and cancerous disea…
    207RC0200XCritical Care Medicine (Internal Medicine) PhysicianAn internist who diagnoses, treats and supports patients with multiple organ dysfunction. This specialist may have administrative responsibilities for…
    363LC1500XCommunity Health Nurse PractitionerPhysician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Nurse Practitioner
    2086X0206XSurgical Oncology PhysicianA surgical oncologist is a well-qualified surgeon who has obtained additional training and experience in the multidisciplinary approach to the prevent…
    163WL0100XLactation Consultant (Registered Nurse)Nursing Service Providers · Registered Nurse

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Anesthesiology1 / 2

    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-00500-ANESTHESIA-ESOPHAGUS-PROCEDURE

    CPT 00500: Anesthesia for Esophageal Procedure

    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

    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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    00542Anesthesia for removal of lung liningRelated when procedures involve pleurectomy or decortication of the lung lining during thoracotomy; indicates a different anesthesia code specific to those interventions.