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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesAnesthesia for Radiological ProceduresCPT cpt-01938-lumbar-sacral-image-guided-spinal-anesthesia
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    CPT 01938: Anesthesia for Percutaneous Image-Guided Lumbar/Sacral Spine Procedures

    CPT code 01938 describes anesthesia services provided for percutaneous image-guided injection, drainage, or aspiration procedures on the lumbar or sacral spine or spinal cord, representing regional/general anesthesia or monitored anesthesia care for these interventional spine procedures; the service is anesthesia for image-guided spine interventions and the typical site of service is an outpatient interventional radiology suite, ambulatory surgery center, or hospital procedure room where percutaneous spinal injections or drainages 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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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 58-year-old patient with chronic low back pain and radiating leg pain presents for a percutaneous, image-guided lumbar epidural steroid injection for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The patient has a history of lumbar degenerative disc disease and prior conservative care that failed to provide durable relief. The interventional radiology or pain management team reviews imaging (MRI) and the pre-anesthesia assessment, confirms no contraindications (active infection, coagulopathy), and obtains informed consent. On the day of service the anesthesia provider documents airway assessment, ASA physical status, and plan for monitored anesthesia care (MAC) or sedation. Under fluoroscopic or CT guidance the proceduralist advances the needle to the targeted lumbar epidural space, injects contrast for confirmation, then administers steroid and local anesthetic. The anesthesia provider administers sedation or monitored anesthesia, titrates medications for patient comfort, continuously monitors vitals, documents drug dosages and airway interventions, and remains available for immediate management of complications such as hypotension or respiratory depression. The typical site of service is an outpatient ambulatory surgery center or hospital procedure suite, with recovery area observation until discharge criteria are met.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    20610Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection; major joint or bursa (e.g., hip, shoulder)Analogous injection code for non‑spinal joints; sometimes performed in same procedural suite for joint pain management.
    62264Injection(s), of diagnostic or therapeutic substance(s) (including anesthetic, antispasmodic, opioid), not including neurolytic agents, including needle or catheter placement, spinal (intrathecal) or epidural, lumbar or sacral; with catheter placementRelated spinal injection technique when catheter placement is required rather than percutaneous single injection.
    62311Injection(s), of diagnostic or therapeutic substance(s), including needle or catheter placement, continuous infusion or intermittent bolus, lumbar or sacral epidural; without indwelling catheterUsed for lumbar epidural injections without indwelling catheter; often part of the same therapeutic options.
    77003Fluoroscopic guidance for needle placement (e.g., biopsy, aspiration, injection, localization device), imaging supervision and interpretationImaging guidance code commonly reported by radiology when fluoroscopy is used during needle placement.
    76942Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement (e.g., biopsy, aspiration, injection, localization)Used when ultrasound guidance is employed for needle placement instead of fluoroscopy or CT.
    99213Office or other outpatient visit, established patient, moderate complexityTypical E/M visit code for pre‑procedure evaluation and follow‑up related to the injection procedure.

    Related Modifiers

    6 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    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 Code
    2084P0800X
    208800000X
    207L00000X
    2278G1100X
    292200000X
    207PS0010X
    146E00000X
    2278P3800X

    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-01916-ANESTHESIA-FOR-DIAGNOSTIC-ARTERIOGRAPHY-OR-VENOGRAPHY

    CPT 01916: Anesthesia for Diagnostic Arteriography or Venography

    CPT-01920-CORONARY-ANGIOGRAPHY-VENTRICULOGRAPHY-ANESTHESIA

    CPT 01920: Anesthesia for Coronary Angiography and Ventriculography

    CPT-01922-ANESTHESIA-NONINVASIVE-IMAGING-RADIATION-THERAPY

    CPT 01922: Anesthesia for Non‑Invasive Imaging or Radiation Therapy

    CPT-01924-ANESTHESIA-THERAPEUTIC-INTERVENTIONAL-ARTERIAL-PROCEDURES

    CPT 01924: Anesthesia for Therapeutic Arterial Interventional Radiology

    CPT-01925-ANESTHESIA-THERAPEUTIC-INTERVENTIONAL-RADIOLOGY-CAROTID-CORONARY

    CPT 01925: Anesthesia for Therapeutic Interventional Radiological Procedures, Carotid or Coronary

    CPT-01926-ANESTHESIA-THERAPEUTIC-ENDOVASCULAR-AORTIC-INTRACRANIAL-INTRACARDIAC

    CPT 01926: Anesthesia for Therapeutic Interventional Radiology Procedures

    CPT-01930-ANESTHESIA-VENOUS-LYMPHATIC-INTERVENTIONAL-RADIOLOGY

    CPT 01930: Anesthesia for Therapeutic Venous/Lymphatic Interventions

    CPT-01931-ANESTHESIA-INTERVENTIONAL-RADIOLOGY-INTRAHEPATIC-PORTAL

    CPT 01931: Anesthesia for Therapeutic Interventional Radiology on Intrahepatic/Portal Circulation

    CPT-01932-ANESTHESIA-INTERVENTIONAL-RADIOLOGY-JUGULAR-INTRATHORACIC-VEINS

    CPT 01932: Anesthesia for Jugular or Intrathoracic Venous Interventional Radiology

    CPT-01933-ANESTHESIA-INTRACRANIAL-INTERVENTIONAL-RADIOLOGY

    CPT 01933: Anesthesia for Intracranial Venous/Lymphatic Interventional Radiology

    Showing 1–10 of 15

    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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