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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesAnesthesia for Intrathoracic ProceduresCPT cpt-00548-anesthesia-thoracic-airway-procedures-trachea-bronchi
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    CPT 00548: Thoracic Anesthesia for Trachea and Bronchi Procedures

    Commercial payers pay $69 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 00548 describes anesthesia services provided when the chest wall is opened to perform procedures on the trachea and bronchi; the service type is general anesthesia for thoracic airway surgery and the typical site of service is an operating room or inpatient surgical suite where thoracotomy or open airway 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

    National commercial rates for CPT 00548 cluster around BUCA’s average commercial benchmark of $68.70, while payers show meaningful variation. Cigna’s mean is notably higher at $92.20 and Blue Cross Blue Shield’s mean sits at $64.90, with Aetna ($58.00) and UnitedHealth Group ($67.30) near BUCA. Maximums and minimums vary by payer, but BUCA’s average provides a straightforward mid-market reference point for commercial contracting conversations.

    Dispersion measured as the interquartile range (P75 minus P25) highlights differences in payor consistency: Aetna’s IQR is $28.00, Blue Cross Blue Shield’s IQR is $23.00, BUCA’s IQR is $37.90, Cigna’s IQR is $52.40, and UnitedHealth Group’s IQR is $28.90. Cigna displays the widest IQR at $52.40, indicating the greatest price spread, while Blue Cross Blue Shield is the tightest at $23.00, indicating the most compressed middle 50% of rates.

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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 male with a history of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (I25.10), prior myocardial ischemia symptoms (I20.9), and chronic atrial fibrillation (I48.91) is scheduled for open thoracic surgery to resect an obstructing bronchial tumor involving the trachea and mainstem bronchi. Preoperative evaluation documents prior myocardial infarction (I21.9) and reduced ejection fraction consistent with heart failure (I50.9). The patient is admitted to the hospital the morning of surgery. The anesthesiology team conducts a focused preoperative assessment, reviews cardiac risk, and formulates a plan for general endotracheal anesthesia with invasive monitoring (arterial line, central venous access) and possible one-lung ventilation. Intraoperative workflow includes induction, endotracheal tube placement or specialized bronchial blocker placement for lung isolation, maintenance of anesthesia with volatile or intravenous agents, continuous hemodynamic monitoring, and coordinated communication with the thoracic surgical team during tracheal and bronchial repair/resection. Postoperative disposition is typically to the intensive care unit for ventilatory support and close cardiac monitoring given the patient’s coronary disease, heart failure history, and arrhythmia risk. Documentation should reflect preoperative assessment, intraoperative events (airway management, lines, monitoring), anesthetic technique, and postoperative plan to support use of 00548 for anesthesia for procedures on the trachea and bronchi via an open chest approach.

    Related CPT Codes

    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…
    207RA0000XAdolescent Medicine (Internal Medicine) PhysicianAn internist who specializes in adolescent medicine is a multi-disciplinary healthcare specialist trained in the unique physical, psychological and so…
    207RC0000XCardiovascular Disease PhysicianAn internist who specializes in diseases of the heart and blood vessels and manages complex cardiac conditions such as heart attacks and life-threaten…
    225CX0006XOrientation and Mobility Training Rehabilitation CounselorOrientation and Mobility (O&M) specialists teach children and adults who have visual impairments the specific orientation skills used to find one's wa…
    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…
    261QM2800XMethadone ClinicAn entity, facility, or distinct part of a facility providing diagnostic, and replacement maintenance treatment services related to individuals with d…
    363LC1500XCommunity Health Nurse PractitionerPhysician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Nurse Practitioner
    207ZD0900XDermatopathology (Pathology) PhysicianA dermatopathologist is an expert in diagnosing and monitoring diseases of the skin including infectious, immunologic, degenerative, and neoplastic di…

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Anesthesiology1 / 2

    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-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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    CPT Code
    Description
    Relationship to This Procedure
    00500Anesthesia for procedures on the integumentary system of head, neck, or posterior trunkMay be used for separate anesthesia billing when additional head/neck procedures are performed during the same anesthetic but not for thoracic airway open-chest work.
    00539Anesthesia for procedures on the esophagus, thorax; not otherwise specifiedAlternative thoracic anesthesia codes that may apply to adjacent thoracic procedures performed in the same operative session.
    00540Anesthesia for incision and drainage, thoracic; and mediastinalUsed when additional thoracic/mediastinal procedures are performed with airway surgery in the same anesthetic.
    00541Anesthesia for pleural procedures including thoracentesis, decorticationRelevant when concurrent pleural or lung procedures necessitate combined anesthesia coverage.
    00542Anesthesia for pneumonectomy, lobectomy, or segmental resectionUsed for lung resections performed concomitantly with tracheal/bronchial surgery, affecting anesthesia planning.
    00546Anesthesia for repair of traumatic thoracic injuryApplies when airway surgery is part of trauma-related thoracic repair during the same anesthetic.
    00550Anesthesia for procedures on the heart; not otherwise specifiedRelevant when cardiac procedures occur concurrently or when cardiac anesthesiology expertise is required due to comorbid cardiac disease.
    00560Anesthesia for intracardiac procedures, valve repair/replacementUsed if valve or intracardiac work is performed in the same operative setting requiring cardiac-level anesthesia.
    00561Anesthesia for open cardiac procedures; coronary bypassRelevant when coronary artery bypass grafting is performed concurrently with thoracic airway surgery.
    00562Anesthesia for heart/lung transplantationApplies when airway procedures are part of multiorgan thoracic transplant surgeries.