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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesAnesthesia for Procedures on the Lower Leg (Below Knee)CPT cpt-01520-anesthesia-veins-lower-leg
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    CPT 01520: Anesthesia for Procedure on Veins of Lower Leg

    Commercial payers pay $257 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 01520 describes anesthesia services provided for a patient undergoing a procedure on the veins of the lower leg; service type: anesthesia for lower leg venous procedure; typical site of service: hospital operating room or ambulatory surgery center for lower extremity venous surgery or intervention.

    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

    National commercial reimbursement for CPT 01520 centers around BUCA’s average commercial benchmark of $256.80, with payer-specific medians and means showing notable differences. Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) posts a high median near $354.50 and a mean of $357.50, while Aetna and Cigna sit substantially lower with means of $93.00 and $105.00 respectively; UnitedHealth Group’s mean is $68.30. These contrasts highlight a bifurcated market where BUCA’s average sits between BCBS’s higher cluster and the lower-paying commercial carriers.

    Dispersion (P75 minus P25) varies meaningfully: BCBS has the tightest interquartile spread at $27.20 ($370.90 − $343.70), while Aetna’s spread is $75.50 ($118.50 − $43.00), Cigna’s is $66.90 ($139.00 − $73.10), and UnitedHealth Group’s is $31.40 ($81.40 − $52.00). BUCA’s interquartile spread is $38.30 ($274.20 − $235.90). BCBS shows the tightest clustering, Aetna the widest variation, and BUCA sits closer to mid-range variability.

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    National Payer Mean Reimbursement Rates

    State Reimbursement Rates

    State: Alaska1 / 51

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 68-year-old patient with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis presents for a planned lower leg vein procedure under anesthesia. The patient has a history of unilateral primary osteoarthritis of the right knee (M17.11) and a right total knee arthroplasty (Z96.651). The treating vascular surgeon schedules endovenous ablation of the great saphenous vein below the knee for symptomatic varicose veins refractory to conservative therapy. Preoperative evaluation by the anesthesia team documents cardiovascular and pulmonary assessment, medication reconciliation, and ASA physical status P3 due to controlled ischemic heart disease and fixed functional limitation from knee osteoarthritis. On the day of service, the anesthesia provider (physician anesthesiologist or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) administers regional anesthesia (e.g., peripheral nerve block or monitored anesthesia care with sedation) and monitors the patient through the procedure in an outpatient ambulatory surgery center. Postprocedural handoff includes post-anesthesia recovery monitoring and documentation of anesthesia time and any intraoperative events affecting billing (e.g., unplanned intensive care transfer or significant anesthesia-related complication).

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    01502

    Related Modifiers

    7 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…

    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…
    207LA0401XAddiction Medicine (Anesthesiology) PhysicianAn anesthesiologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of addictions.
    367500000XCertified Registered Nurse Anesthetist(1) A licensed registered nurse with advanced specialty education in anesthesia who, in collaboration with appropriate health care professionals, prov…
    261QR0401XComprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility (CORF)Ambulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center
    103TP0814XPsychoanalysis PsychologistA psychologist whose specialty is distinguished from other specialties by its body of knowledge and its intensive treatment approaches. It aims at str…
    364SN0800XNeuroscience Clinical Nurse SpecialistPhysician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Clinical Nurse Specialist
    225XL0004XLow Vision Occupational TherapistOccupational therapists enable children and adults with visual impairment to engage in their chosen daily living activities safely and as independentl…
    207VG0400XGynecology PhysicianA physician who specializes in diagnosis, treatment, and management of patients with gynecologic conditions.

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Anesthesiology1 / 3

    10 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
    Mm_0579_Coveragepositioncriteria_Anesthesia_Services_Selected_Nerve_BlocksCigna2026-05-15
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric DisordersBlue Cross Blue Shield - North Carolina2026-04-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric DisordersBlue Cross Blue Shield - North Carolina2026-04-01

    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-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

    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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    Under anesthesia for procedures on the lower leg (below knee)
    Alternative anesthesia code for other types or extents of below-knee procedures; used when documentation matches that code's anatomical or service definitions.
    01522Under anesthesia for procedures on the lower leg (below knee)Closely related anesthesia code used for similar lower-leg procedures; selection depends on specific operative site and anesthesia documentation.