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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesAnesthesia for Procedures on the Lower Leg (Below Knee)CPT cpt-01470-anesthesia-lower-leg-ankle-foot-soft-tissue-procedure
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    CPT 01470: Anesthesia for Lower Leg, Ankle, and Foot Soft-Tissue Procedures

    Commercial payers pay $101 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 01470 describes anesthesia services provided for procedures on the nerves, muscles, tendons, and fascia of the lower leg, ankle, and foot; this code is used for regional or general anesthesia when no more specific anesthesia code applies, with the service typically performed in an operating room or procedure suite for soft-tissue or nerve-related interventions of the lower extremity.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Dental Anesthesia Services, Anesthesia Services for Interventional Pain Management Procedures in an Adult, General Anesthesia and Conscious Sedation Services.

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    National Reimbursement Benchmarks

    National commercial rates for CPT 01470 center around a BUCA average of $100.60, with payer-level means ranging from $68.20 to $173.30. Blue Cross Blue Shield shows a relatively tight interquartile spread (P75–P25 = $40.80), while UnitedHealth Group is similarly compact with a spread of $29.00, indicating generally consistent pricing within those networks. Cigna and BUCA have wider IQRs at $66.90 and $61.10 respectively, and Aetna exhibits the largest dispersion by far with an IQR of $140.70, signaling substantial variability in negotiated commercial rates.

    Looking at medians and upper tails, Aetna’s higher P90 ($346.50) and max ($540.30) contrast with UnitedHealth Group’s more constrained upper bound ($122.70 max, P90 $95.00), highlighting distinct ceiling effects across contracts. Blue Cross Blue Shield and Cigna occupy middle positions on both central tendency and spread, while BUCA’s average sits near the market midpoint but with enough IQR breadth to reflect diversity in commercial arrangements.

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    National Payer Mean Reimbursement Rates

    State Reimbursement Rates

    State: Alaska1 / 51

    Rate by payer

    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 34-year-old recreational runner presents to the ambulatory surgical center with persistent right lateral ankle pain after an inversion injury. Imaging and exam localize symptoms to the peroneal tendons and surrounding fascia; conservative care failed. The orthopedic surgeon schedules a focused soft-tissue procedure on the nerves, muscles, tendons, and fascia of the lower leg, ankle, and foot under general anesthesia with regional nerve block for postoperative analgesia. Preoperative evaluation documents ASA class P2, informed consent for anesthesia, and review of allergies and medications. On the day of surgery the anesthesiology team performs standard monitoring, induces general anesthesia, places a popliteal sciatic nerve block for intra- and postoperative pain control, provides intraoperative hemodynamic management, and transitions care to the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) with discharge criteria met. The billing element reported is anesthetic services specific to procedures on the nerves, muscles, tendons, and fascia of the lower leg, ankle, and foot, when no more specific anesthesia code applies (01470). Typical site of service is an ambulatory surgical center or hospital outpatient department for outpatient orthopedic soft-tissue procedures.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    01480Anesthesia for open procedures on bones of lower leg, ankle, and foot

    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…
    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…
    P1Modifier P1 indicates an ASA Physical Status I — a normal healthy patient — and is appended to anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) based on the anesthesiologist’s clinical assessment. It documents the…- When to apply: Use modifier P1 on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when the anesthesia provider assigns ASA Physical Status I — a normal healthy patient (non‑smoker, minimal or no alcohol use).…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207L00000X
    207LA0401X
    207LP2900X
    261QP0904X
    2279P3900X
    207SC0300X
    174MM1900X
    2084E0001X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    5 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    S93.401ASprain of unspecified ligament of right ankle, initial encounter
    M25.571Pain in right ankle and joints of right foot
    M25.572Pain in left ankle and joints of left foot
    M79.671Pain in right foot
    M79.672Pain in left foot

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Anesthesiology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Dental Anesthesia ServicesProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    Anesthesia Services for Interventional Pain Management Procedures in an AdultCigna2026-09-15
    General Anesthesia and Conscious Sedation ServicesUnitedHealthcare2026-09-01
    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
    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-01462-ANESTHESIA-CLOSED-PROCEDURES-LOWER-LEG-ANKLE-FOOT

    CPT 01462: Anesthesia for Closed Procedures on Lower Leg, Ankle, Foot

    CPT-01464-ANKLE-FOOT-ARTHROSCOPY-ANESTHESIA

    CPT 01464: Anesthesia for Ankle/Foot Arthroscopic Procedure

    CPT-01472-LOWER-LEG-ANKLE-FOOT-TENDON-ANESTHESIA-ACHILLES-REPAIR

    CPT 01472: Anesthesia for Lower Leg/Ankle/Foot (Achilles Repair)

    CPT-01474-ANESTHESIA-LOWER-LEG-ANKLE-FOOT-SOFT-TISSUE-PROCEDURES

    CPT 01474: Anesthesia for Lower Leg/Ankle/Foot Soft-Tissue Procedures

    CPT-01480-ANESTHESIA-OPEN-LOWER-LEG-ANKLE-FOOT-BONE-PROCEDURE

    CPT 01480: Anesthesia for Open Lower Leg, Ankle, and Foot Procedures

    CPT-01482-ANESTHESIA-LOWER-LEG-ANKLE-FOOT-RADICAL-RESECTION

    CPT 01482: Anesthesia for Lower Leg, Ankle, and Foot Procedures

    CPT-01484-ANESTHESIA-OSTEOTOMY-OSTEOPLASTY-TIBIA-FIBULA

    CPT 01484: Anesthesia for Tibia/Fibula Osteotomy or Osteoplasty

    CPT-01486-TOTAL-ANKLE-REPLACEMENT-ANESTHESIA

    CPT 01486: Anesthesia for Total Ankle Replacement

    CPT-01490-ANESTHESIA-LOWER-LEG-CAST-APPLICATION-REMOVAL-REPAIR

    CPT 01490: Anesthesia for Lower Leg Cast Application/Removal/Repair

    CPT-01500-LOWER-LEG-ARTERIAL-BYPASS-ANESTHESIA

    CPT 01500: Anesthesia for Lower Leg Arterial Bypass Graft

    Showing 1–10 of 13

    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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    Related when the surgery involves open bony work rather than soft-tissue procedures; bill 01480 instead if the procedure is predominantly osseous.