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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesAnesthesia for Procedures on the Lower Leg (Below Knee)CPT cpt-01474-anesthesia-lower-leg-ankle-foot-soft-tissue-procedures
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    CPT 01474: Anesthesia for Lower Leg/Ankle/Foot Soft-Tissue Procedures

    Commercial payers pay $76 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 01474 describes anesthesia services provided for procedures on the nerves, muscles, tendons, and fascia of the lower leg, ankle, and foot — including gastrocnemius recession (for example, Strayer procedure); service type: anesthesia for regional or general surgical procedures on lower extremity soft tissues; typical site of service: hospital operating room or ambulatory surgery center where lower leg/ankle/foot soft-tissue surgeries are performed.

    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

    Commercial reimbursement for CPT 01474 centers on BUCA’s average commercial rate of $75.60, which provides a mid-market reference point among national payers. Blue Cross Blue Shield averages $64.70 and Aetna shows a higher mean of $95.60, while Cigna’s mean is $96.50 and UnitedHealth Group averages $67.40. These means cluster around BUCA’s level, but payers differ in how tightly their rates are distributed around their central tendencies. Dispersion (P75 minus P25) highlights variability: Aetna’s interquartile spread is $74.40 ($119.90 − $45.00), Cigna’s is $58.60 ($125.00 − $68.40), and BUCA’s is $44.90 ($94.80 − $49.90). Blue Cross Blue Shield’s spread is $36.50 ($81.10 − $44.60) and UnitedHealth Group’s is $28.90 ($80.90 − $52.00), making UnitedHealth Group the tightest and Aetna the widest in IQR terms.

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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 ambulatory patient with chronic right-sided posterior ankle and Achilles region pain and tightness presents for surgical release of the gastrocnemius aponeurosis (gastrocnemius recession, e.g., Strayer procedure) to improve ankle dorsiflexion and relieve tension on the Achilles tendon. Preoperative evaluation documents history of unilateral knee osteoarthritis with prior right total knee arthroplasty (Z96.651), controlled hypertension, and ASA physical status P3. The surgical plan includes open gastrocnemius recession with possible adjunctive release of adhesions in the posterior compartment of the lower leg and local nerve decompression if identified.

    The anesthesia workflow typically includes preoperative assessment by an anesthesiologist or certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), establishment of standard ASA monitors, and placement of either general anesthesia with endotracheal tube or laryngeal mask airway or monitored regional anesthesia (e.g., popliteal sciatic nerve block) depending on patient preference, comorbidities, and surgeon requirements. Intraoperative management addresses positioning for lower leg/ankle access, perioperative antibiotics, and multimodal analgesia. Postoperative care includes PACU monitoring, assessment for block effectiveness and motor function, and discharge planning to same-day outpatient surgery or short inpatient stay based on anesthesia type and medical complexity.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure

    Related Modifiers

    9 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…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207L00000X
    207LA0401X
    367500000X
    246QM0900X
    2085D0003X
    101YP2500X
    163WC1500X
    261QH0100X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    29 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    G57.51Tarsal tunnel syndrome, right lower limb
    G57.52Tarsal tunnel syndrome, left lower limb
    M17.10Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, unspecified knee
    M17.11Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, right knee
    M17.12Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, left knee
    M17.5Other unilateral secondary osteoarthritis of knee
    M20.11Hallux valgus (acquired), right foot
    M20.12Hallux valgus (acquired), left foot
    M24.271Disorder of ligament, right ankle
    M24.272Disorder of ligament, left ankle

    Showing 1–10 of 29

    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-01470-ANESTHESIA-LOWER-LEG-ANKLE-FOOT-SOFT-TISSUE-PROCEDURE

    CPT 01470: Anesthesia for Lower Leg, Ankle, and Foot Soft-Tissue Procedures

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

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

    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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    Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.

    01472
    Anesthesia for procedures on nerves, muscles, tendons, and fascia of lower leg, ankle, and foot (including repair of ruptured Achilles tendon, with or without graft)
    Alternative anesthesia code for similar soft-tissue procedures of the lower leg/ankle; used when procedure specifics align more closely with tendon repair than gastrocnemius recession.
    01480Anesthesia for open procedures on bones of the lower leg, ankle, and footUsed when an open bony procedure (e.g., osteotomy, fusion) is performed in conjunction with or instead of soft-tissue gastrocnemius recession; different anesthetic planning and complexity may apply.