CPT 00834: Anesthesia for Infant Lower Abdominal Hernia Repair
CPT code 00834 designates anesthesia services for surgical repair of lower abdominal hernias in infants younger than one year of age when no more specific anesthesia code applies. This pediatric anesthesia code is important for accurate billing and clinical classification of perioperative care for neonatal and infant hernia repairs, which are common pediatric surgical procedures. Nationally, clear use of this code supports appropriate payment, case-mix reporting, and quality measurement for pediatric anesthesia services. Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the clinical context for the code, typical sites of service, commonly associated diagnoses for lower abdominal hernias, nearby related anesthesia codes for hernia repairs, and the range of modifiers that frequently appear on claims. The publication summarizes where 00834 fits within anesthesia coding for pediatric hernia repairs, highlights related CPT anesthesia codes for comparison, and provides operational context useful for coding, billing, and revenue cycle teams. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
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Billing Code Overview
CPT code 00834 describes anesthesia services for repair of a lower abdominal hernia in an infant younger than 1 year of age. The service covers anesthesia management for surgical repair of hernias located in the lower abdomen when no more specific anesthesia code applies.
Service type: Anesthesia for pediatric lower abdominal hernia repair
Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or ambulatory surgical center, where pediatric surgical procedures and anesthetic care for infants are performed.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 6-month-old male presents for elective repair of a unilateral inguinal hernia (K40.90). The pediatric surgeon schedules an open inguinal herniorrhaphy under general anesthesia. Preoperative evaluation in the pediatric pre‑op clinic documents a full-term birth, ASA Physical Status P1, normal airway exam, and no significant comorbidities. In the operating room the pediatric anesthesiology team (taxonomy 207LP2900X) performs induction via mask with inhalational agents, secures intravenous access, administers weight‑based antibiotics, and provides endotracheal intubation for airway protection. Intraoperative monitoring includes standard ASA monitors, temperature regulation, and neonatal-sized equipment. Anesthesia time covers induction, maintenance during the lower abdominal/inguinal repair, and emergence until transfer to the post anesthesia care unit (PACU). The anesthesia service is reported with 00834 because the patient is a child younger than 1 year undergoing repair of a lower abdominal hernia not otherwise specified by other anesthesia codes. Typical site of service is an ambulatory surgery center or hospital operating room. Postoperative care includes PACU recovery with monitoring for airway patency, analgesia management, and discharge planning for outpatient follow‑up with the pediatric surgeon.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
22 | Increased procedural services | Use when anesthesia delivery required substantially greater work or intensity than usual (document justification). |
23 | Unusual anesthesia | Use when circumstances require general anesthesia for a procedure that normally does not require it (document reason). |
50 | Bilateral procedure | Use when bilateral hernia repairs are performed and distinct anesthesia reporting is required. |
52 | Reduced services | Use when the procedure is partially performed or service is reduced (document extent). |
53 | Discontinued procedure | Use when the procedure is begun but terminated due to patient condition or other factors. |
62 | Two surgeons | Use when two surgeons are required to perform portions of the operative repair concurrently. |
78 | Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period | Use for unplanned return to OR for anesthesia related to complication of the hernia repair. |
95 | Synchronous telemedicine service rendered live via interactive audio and video telecommunications system | Use if preoperative or intraoperative anesthesia consultation is performed via synchronous telemedicine per payer policies. |
AA | Anesthesia service performed personally by anesthesiologist | Use when the reporting anesthesiologist personally performs the service. |
AD | Medical supervision by a physician; more than four concurrent anesthesia procedures | Use when the physician medically supervises more than four concurrent cases. |
AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for anesthesia | Use when a qualified non‑physician provides anesthesia services under appropriate supervision. |
P1 | Healthy patient | Use to report ASA physical status P1 when applicable (modifier used in some payer systems). |
P2 | Mild systemic disease | Use to report ASA P2 when applicable. |
QK | Medical direction of two, three or four anesthetists where the physician medically directs | Use when the anesthesiologist medically directs multiple CRNAs under allowable rules. |
QS | Monitored anesthesia care service | Use when monitored anesthesia care (MAC) rather than general/regional anesthesia is provided. |
| Taxonomy Code | Specialty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
207L00000X | Anesthesiology | General anesthesiologists who provide pediatric and adult anesthesia care. |
207LP2900X | Pediatric Anesthesiology | Subspecialists providing anesthesia for infants and children; common for 00834. |
207LA0401X | Pain Medicine (Anesthesiology) | Anesthesiologists with pain subspecialty; may be involved for perioperative regional analgesia planning. |
Related Diagnoses
| ICD-10 Code | Description | Clinical Relevance |
|---|---|---|
K40.90 | Unilateral inguinal hernia, without obstruction or gangrene, not specified as recurrent | Common indication for pediatric inguinal herniorrhaphy under anesthesia; aligns directly with 00834 use. |
K41.90 | Unilateral femoral hernia, without obstruction or gangrene, not specified as recurrent | Femoral hernia in the lower abdomen/groin that may require similar anesthesia care as inguinal repairs. |
K42.9 | Umbilical hernia without obstruction or gangrene | Lower abdominal wall hernia; some infants undergo repair requiring general anesthesia. |
K43.9 | Ventral hernia without obstruction or gangrene | Ventral/incisional hernias of the lower abdomen that may alter anesthesia code selection when specified. |
K44.9 | Diaphragmatic hernia without obstruction or gangrene | Diaphragmatic hernia repair involves different operative region but is listed among related diagnoses; clinical relevance is that anesthesia planning may differ for thoracoabdominal procedures. |
Related CPT Codes
| CPT Code | Description | Relationship to This Procedure |
|---|---|---|
00830 | Anesthesia for hernia repairs in lower abdomen; not otherwise specified | Alternative anesthesia code for lower abdominal hernia repairs when patient age/other specifics differ from 00834. |
00832 | Anesthesia for hernia repairs in lower abdomen; ventral and incisional hernias | Use when the hernia is ventral or incisional rather than inguinal; distinguishes procedure type for anesthesia reporting. |
00836 | Anesthesia for hernia repairs in the lower abdomen not otherwise specified, infants younger than 37 weeks gestational age at birth and younger than 50 weeks gestational age at time of surgery | Use for premature or very young infants meeting gestational age criteria instead of 00834. |