Loading...

    Explore
    • Policy Monitoring
    • Live Policy Feed
    • Billing Codes
    • NPI Medicare & Medicaid
    • Healthcare Providers
    • Health Insurance Payers
    • States
    • Service Lines
    • Taxonomy Codes
    Lookup tools
    • Billing Code Lookup
    • CPT Modifier Lookup
    • Provider Taxonomy Code Lookup
    • Healthcare Provider & Facility Lookup
    • Health Insurance Payer Lookup
    • Payer Contact Directory

    Policy & Benchmark Tools

    • Prior Authorization Lookup
    • Coverage Criteria Lookup
    • Timely Filing Lookup
    • Billing Code Reimbursement Rates
    • Payer Comparison Dashboard
    • Facility Comparison Dashboard
    • All tools

    Company

    • About OpenPayer
    • Data Sources
    • Trek Health
    OpenPayerby Trek Health
    LinkedInYouTube

    © 2026 Trek Health. All rights reserved.

    OpenPayer is built and maintained by Trek Health.

    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesAnesthesia for Procedures on the Lower Leg (Below Knee)CPT cpt-01480-anesthesia-open-lower-leg-ankle-foot-bone-procedure
    Ask Trek AI about this page

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

    Commercial payers pay $108 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 01480 describes anesthesia services provided for open surgical procedures on the bones of the lower leg, ankle, and foot; this is an anesthesia service typically delivered in an operating room or ambulatory surgery center and is categorized as intraoperative anesthesia care for lower extremity orthopedic open procedures.

    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.

    Customize your policy alerts

    Sign up for cpt 01480 policy alerts

    Get alerted when payer policies referencing 01480 are released or updated.

    Monitor payer policy activity

    Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

    National Reimbursement Benchmarks

    BUCA’s average commercial rate sits near $108.50, providing a market midpoint for CPT 01480 compared with individual commercial carriers. Blue Cross Blue Shield’s middle 50% spread (P75–P25) is $51.80, Cigna’s interquartile spread is $46.60, UnitedHealth Group’s spread is $29.00, and Aetna’s spread is $186.10 — indicating that Aetna shows the widest dispersion while UnitedHealth Group is the tightest. Median levels vary by carrier, with Aetna and Cigna medians above BUCA’s average and Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealth Group medians below it.

    Price ceilings and floors further differentiate the market: Aetna reaches as high as $645.20 and as low as $45.10, generating substantial top-end variability relative to other payers. Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and UnitedHealth Group exhibit narrower central clustering around their medians, while the wide Aetna spread signals greater variability in negotiated commercial rates for this code.

    Table of contents

    Progress1 / 9

    Explore openpayer tools

    • Billing CodesCPT, HCPCS, DRG & more
    • Reimbursement RatesCommercial vs. Medicare rate reports
    • Facility ComparisonBeds, revenue & payer mix
    • ProvidersHospitals & facilities
    • PayersPlans & market footprint
    • Taxonomy CodesNUCC specialty codes
    • ModifiersCPT modifiers & usage
    • Prior AuthorizationPA policies by payer & drug
    • Timely FilingFiling deadlines by payer
    • Coverage CriteriaMedical necessity by payer
    • Payer ContactsClaims, PA & appeals contacts
    View all tools
    National Payer Mean Reimbursement Rates

    State Reimbursement Rates

    State: Alaska1 / 51

    Rate by payer

    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 42-year-old male presents to the emergency department after a motorcycle crash with severe pain, swelling, and deformity of the right lower leg. Imaging confirms a displaced mid-shaft tibial fracture (S82.201A) and an associated distal fibular fracture. The orthopedic surgeon schedules the patient for open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of the tibial shaft and possible fixation of the fibula. The anesthesia team (anesthesiologist or CRNA/AA under supervision) evaluates the patient preoperatively, documents airway assessment, past medical history, medication use (including anticoagulants), allergies, and fasting status, and obtains informed consent for general anesthesia with possible regional block for postoperative analgesia.

    On the day of surgery the team provides standardized perioperative care: induction of general anesthesia, endotracheal intubation or laryngeal mask airway as indicated, maintenance of anesthesia, intraoperative monitoring (ECG, pulse oximetry, capnography, blood pressure, temperature), administration of analgesics and muscle relaxants as needed, and potential placement of a femoral or popliteal sciatic nerve block for postoperative pain control. The anesthesiologist documents start and stop times for anesthesia, intraoperative events (significant hypotension, transfusion, or airway complications), and any significant additional work or procedures that affect anesthesia management. Postoperative handoff is given to recovery room nursing with documented emergence and immediate postoperative status.

    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…
    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…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
    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 Code
    207L00000X
    367500000X
    207RA0401X
    341800000X
    101200000X
    2080T0004X
    207R00000X
    174N00000X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    5 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    S82.101AUnspecified fracture of upper end of right tibia, initial encounter for closed fracture
    S82.102AUnspecified fracture of upper end of left tibia, initial encounter for closed fracture
    S82.201AUnspecified fracture of shaft of right tibia, initial encounter for closed fracture
    S82.202AUnspecified fracture of shaft of left tibia, initial encounter for closed fracture
    S82.301AUnspecified fracture of lower end of right tibia, initial encounter for closed fracture

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

    CPT 01474: Anesthesia for Lower Leg/Ankle/Foot Soft-Tissue 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.
    Published by

    Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

    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.

    27814
    Open treatment of bimalleolar ankle fracture, includes internal fixation, when performed
    May be performed concurrently when ankle fractures require open reduction and internal fixation during the same anesthetic session

    27792 | Open treatment of distal fibular fracture (lateral malleolus), includes internal fixation, when performed | May be performed in conjunction with tibial fixation when distal fibula is involved

    20680 | Removal of implant; deep (e.g., buried wire, pin, screw, metal band, nail, rod or plate) | May be performed in staged or combined procedures under the same or separate anesthesia encounter

    27650 | Repair, primary, open or percutaneous, of ruptured Achilles tendon | May occur during the same operative session if concomitant tendon injury is identified and repaired