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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesAnesthesia for Radiological ProceduresCPT cpt-01940-lumbar-sacral-neurolytic-image-guided-anesthesia
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    CPT 01940: Anesthesia for Lumbar/Sacral Neurolytic Procedure

    CPT code 01940 describes anesthesia services provided for percutaneous image-guided neurolytic destruction procedures targeting the lumbar or sacral spine or spinal cord; the service type is anesthesia for neurolytic spinal procedures and the typical site of service is an interventional radiology suite or operating room where image guidance is used for percutaneous access and lesioning.

    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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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is a 55-year-old with chronic, refractory lumbar radicular pain following prior lumbar spine surgery and multiple conservative treatments. The pain is neuropathic, localized to the lumbar/sacral nerve distribution, with diagnostic imaging confirming nerve root pathology and pain reproduction on targeted diagnostic blocks. The interventional pain physician schedules a percutaneous, image-guided neurolytic procedure targeting lumbar or sacral nerve roots to provide longer-term pain relief.

    The clinical workflow includes pre-procedure evaluation (history, physical, informed consent, medication reconciliation, anticoagulation management), procedural planning with review of recent imaging (MRI/CT), and documentation of prior diagnostic nerve block responses. On the day of service the patient undergoes monitored anesthesia care or general anesthesia depending on comorbidities and procedure complexity. Under fluoroscopic or CT guidance the interventionalist advances a needle to the target lumbar or sacral neural structure and injects a neurolytic agent (for example, phenol or alcohol) to chemically ablate the pain-generating nerve fibers. Post-procedure monitoring occurs in a recovery area with neurological checks, pain assessment, and discharge instructions. Documentation includes indication, imaging guidance, neurolytic agent and volume, levels treated, type of anesthesia, informed consent, and post-procedure condition.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    01940Anesthesia for percutaneous image-guided destruction procedures using a neurolytic agent; lumbar or sacral spine or spinal cordPrimary anesthesia code describing services for the neurolytic procedure.
    62270Spinal puncture, lumbar, diagnosticMay be performed prior to or as part of diagnostic evaluation; CT/fluoroscopic guidance procedures relate diagnostically.
    64483Injection(s), anesthetic agent and/or steroid injection, paravertebral facet joint (lumbar), unilateral; single levelDiagnostic or therapeutic injections that may precede or complement neurolytic procedures.
    76937Ultrasound guidance for needle placementUsed when ultrasound is utilized for needle guidance during targeting prior to neurolytic injection.
    77002Fluoroscopic guidance for needle placement (eg, for spine, epidural)Common imaging guidance code used during percutaneous neurolytic procedures.
    62310Injection(s), including indwelling catheter, of diagnostic or therapeutic substance(s) for spinal nerve root (e.g., epidural)Performed in related workflows for diagnostic blockade or therapeutic injections preceding neurolysis.

    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 Code
    207RC0000X
    2086S0122X
    207L00000X
    2084P0800X
    364SA2200X
    102X00000X
    2471R0002X
    207XX0005X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    22 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    G89.11Acute pain due to trauma
    G89.12Acute post-thoracotomy pain
    G89.29Other chronic pain
    G89.3Neoplasm related pain (acute) (chronic)
    G89.4Chronic pain syndrome
    M43.16Spondylolisthesis, lumbar region
    M43.17Spondylolisthesis, lumbosacral region
    M47.26Other spondylosis with radiculopathy, lumbar region
    M47.27Other spondylosis with radiculopathy, lumbosacral region
    M48.07Spinal stenosis, lumbosacral region

    Showing 1–10 of 22

    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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