Summary & Overview
CPT 01650: Anesthesia for Arteries of Shoulder and Axilla
CPT code 01650 designates anesthesia services for procedures involving the arteries of the shoulder and axilla not otherwise classified by other anesthesia codes. This code is relevant for anesthesiologists, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and facilities that provide perioperative care for vascular procedures in the shoulder/axilla region. Nationally, accurate use of this code matters for clinical documentation, appropriate billing, and aligning anesthesia service descriptions with the complexity and location of vascular surgery. Key payers examined include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, United Healthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the code’s clinical scope, typical sites of service, and the payer set considered in the analysis. The publication provides context for matching anesthesia service descriptors to operative procedures, highlights common clinical scenarios where 01650 applies, and explains related procedural links for surgical services on the upper extremity. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable. This resource is intended to clarify the clinical intent and billing context of CPT code 01650 for national audiences across clinical, coding, and revenue-cycle functions.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 01650 describes anesthesia services provided for a surgical procedure on the arteries of the shoulder and axilla that is not otherwise described by another anesthesia code. The service type is anesthesia for vascular procedures of the shoulder/axilla. The typical site of service is an operating room or procedural suite where vascular surgery on the shoulder and axilla is performed.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 58-year-old patient with chronic knee pain and mechanical symptoms presents for arthroscopic knee surgery (e.g., partial meniscectomy or chondroplasty) under general or regional anesthesia. The anesthesia provider documents a tailored anesthetic to support arthroscopy of the knee(s), including preoperative evaluation, intraoperative management of anesthesia depth and hemodynamics, and postoperative emergence and pain control. Typical workflow: pre-anesthesia assessment in preoperative holding with review of comorbidities and medications; performance of regional nerve block (such as femoral or adductor canal block) or induction of general anesthesia in the operating room; intraoperative anesthetic maintenance, airway management, and physiologic monitoring during arthroscopy; communication with the surgical team for procedural events; and handoff to post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) staff with documented pain plan and postoperative analgesics. Typical site of service is an ambulatory surgery center or hospital outpatient surgery unit. The service type is anesthesia for a procedure on the arteries of the shoulder and axilla as described by 01650 when no other anesthesia code accurately describes the specific arterial procedure performed in that anatomic region; this may apply when shoulder/axillary arterial repair or vascular procedure is performed concurrently with orthopaedic procedures and requires specialized anesthetic care.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
22 |