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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesAnesthesia for Procedures on the Spine and Spinal CordCPT cpt-00600-anesthesia-cervical-spine-cord-procedures
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    CPT 00600: Anesthesia for Cervical Spine and Cord Procedure

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

    CPT code 00600 describes anesthesia services provided for a patient undergoing a procedure on the cervical spine and spinal cord; the service is anesthesia care, typically delivered in an operating room or procedural suite and includes pre‑, intra‑, and immediate postoperative management specific to cervical spine surgery.

    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 payers, the BUCA average commercial benchmark sits near the middle of the distribution at $75.10, offering a convenient reference point against individual carriers. Blue Cross Blue Shield displays a relatively tight interquartile spread (P75–P25 = $37.20), and UnitedHealth Group is similarly compact with a spread of $28.80, indicating less dispersion in contracted rates. Aetna and Cigna show wider spreads—Aetna’s IQR is $62.20 and Cigna’s is $52.20—reflecting greater variability in negotiated rates around their medians.

    Beyond dispersion, observed central tendencies differ: Aetna and Cigna have higher mean and median values relative to Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealth Group, while BUCA’s mean at $75.10 sits between those groupings. The largest absolute spread in upper-to-lower quartiles is Aetna at $62.20, which contrasts with UnitedHealth Group’s $28.80 IQR, signaling the broadest versus the tightest interquartile variability across these commercial payers.

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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 presents with progressive neck pain, radiculopathy, and imaging demonstrating cervical spinal cord compression requiring decompression and instrumented fusion. The patient has a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease coded as J98.4, a recent right rib fracture S22.3 and right clavicle fracture S42.001 from trauma, and reports right shoulder pain M25.511 and thoracic spine pain M54.6. The surgical plan is a posterior cervical decompression and fusion under general anesthesia. The anesthesiology team evaluates airway risk, pulmonary status, and trauma-related chest injuries preoperatively, documents informed consent, places appropriate intraoperative monitoring (arterial line, neuromonitoring), manages induction and maintenance of general anesthesia, provides muscle relaxation for instrumentation, and coordinates emergence with the surgical team. Postoperatively the anesthesia provider communicates handoff to the PACU for respiratory monitoring given underlying lung disorder and recent thoracic fractures.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    00400

    Related Modifiers

    8 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…
    55Modifier –55 indicates the billing provider furnished only postoperative management for a procedure that has a global surgical period. According to AAPC, this modifier is appended to the same CPT…- Use modifier -55 when billing the same CPT surgical code that has a 10- or 90-day global period and you, as a provider other than the original surgeon, furnished ONLY postoperative management (no…
    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…
    367H00000XAnesthesiologist AssistantAn individual certified by the state to perform anesthesia services under the direct supervision of an anesthesiologist. Anesthesiologist Assistants …
    367500000XCertified Registered Nurse Anesthetist(1) A licensed registered nurse with advanced specialty education in anesthesia who, in collaboration with appropriate health care professionals, prov…
    3104A0630XAssisted Living Facility (Behavioral Disturbances)A facility providing supportive services to individuals who can function independently in most areas of activity, but exhibit abnormal behavioral resp…
    225XN1300XNeurorehabilitation Occupational TherapistRespiratory, Developmental, Rehabilitative and Restorative Service Providers · Occupational Therapist
    2278G1100XGeneral Care Certified Respiratory TherapistThis level of care includes diagnostics testing, therapeutics, monitoring, rehabilitation of patients with disorders of the cardiopulmonary system, as…
    363LA2100XAcute Care Nurse PractitionerPhysician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Nurse Practitioner
    374U00000XHome Health AideA person trained to assist public health nurses, home health nurses, and other health professionals in the bedside care of patients in their homes.

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    27 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    G83.4Cauda equina syndrome
    G95.0Syringomyelia and syringobulbia
    J98.4Other disorders of lung
    M25.511Pain in right shoulder
    M43.15Spondylolisthesis, thoracolumbar region
    M47.12Other spondylosis with myelopathy, cervical region
    M47.13Other spondylosis with myelopathy, cervicothoracic region
    M47.22Other spondylosis with radiculopathy, cervical region
    M47.23Other spondylosis with radiculopathy, cervicothoracic region
    M48.02Spinal stenosis, cervical region

    Showing 1–10 of 27

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Anesthesiology1 / 4

    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-00604-ANESTHESIA-CERVICAL-SPINE-SITTING-POSITION

    CPT 00604: Anesthesia for Cervical Spine and Spinal Cord Procedure, Sitting

    CPT-00620-ANESTHESIA-THORACIC-SPINE-SPINAL-CORD-PROCEDURE

    CPT 00620: Anesthesia for Thoracic Spine and Spinal Cord Procedures

    CPT-00625-ANESTHESIA-THORACIC-SPINE-ANTERIOR-TRANSTHORACIC-NO-ONE-LUNG-VENTILATION

    CPT 00625: Anesthesia for Thoracic Spine Procedure, Anterior Transthoracic

    CPT-00626-ANESTHESIA-THORACIC-SPINE-ANTERIOR-TRANSTHORACIC-ONE-LUNG

    CPT 00626: Anesthesia for Thoracic Spine Procedure, One-Lung Ventilation

    CPT-00630-ANESTHESIA-LUMBAR-REGION-PROCEDURE

    CPT 00630: Anesthesia for Procedures in Lumbar Region

    CPT-00632-LUMBAR-REGION-ANESTHESIA-LUMBAR-SYMPATHECTOMY

    CPT 00632: Anesthesia for Lumbar Region Procedures, Including Lumbar Sympathectomy

    CPT-00635-LUMBAR-REGION-ANESTHESIA-LUMBAR-PUNCTURE

    CPT 00635: Anesthesia for Lumbar Procedures Including Lumbar Puncture

    CPT-00640-ANESTHESIA-FOR-SPINE-MANIPULATION-CLOSED-SPINAL-PROCEDURE

    CPT 00640: Anesthesia for Manipulation or Closed Procedure on the Spine

    CPT-00670-ANESTHESIA-SPINE-INSTRUMENTATION-VASCULAR-PROCEDURE

    CPT 00670: Anesthesia for Extensive Spine and Spinal Cord Procedures

    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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    Anesthesia for procedures on the integumentary system on the extremities, anterior trunk and perineum
    Unrelated anatomical region; listed for reference when multiple-region anesthesia services are provided during same operative session.
    00500Anesthesia for procedures on the aorta and great vesselsRelated when concurrent thoracic vascular procedures occur during the same operative setting requiring different anesthesia considerations.
    00560Anesthesia for procedures on the heart, pericardial sac, and great vessels of chestRelevant if cardiac or major thoracic procedures are performed concurrently or emergently during spine surgery.
    00700Anesthesia for procedures on upper anterior abdominal wallRelevant when additional procedures in the upper abdomen are performed in the same operative session requiring anesthesia planning across regions.