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    OpenPayerBilling CodesAnesthesia for Other ProceduresCPT cpt-01990-anesthesiology-organ-procurement-physiologic-support
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    CPT 01990: Anesthesiology Physiological Support for Brain-Dead Organ Donor

    Commercial payers pay $68 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 01990 describes anesthesiology physiological support provided to a brain-dead patient during organ procurement, a specialized anesthesia service focused on maintaining cardiopulmonary and hemodynamic stability to preserve organs for transplantation; service type: intraoperative anesthesiology support for organ donation procedures; typical site of service: operating room or transplant suite at a hospital or surgical facility.

    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

    For CPT 01990 the average commercial benchmark represented by BUCA sits at $68.30, placing it near the middle of the payer mix. Blue Cross Blue Shield shows wider dispersion around its central tendency (P75 $78.40 minus P25 $42.70 = $35.70), and Cigna also demonstrates substantial spread (P75 $123.00 minus P25 $69.30 = $53.70), indicating more variability in upper-end contract pricing. Aetna and UnitedHealth Group display narrower interquartile ranges: Aetna’s P75 $72.00 minus P25 $42.00 = $30.00, and UnitedHealth Group’s P75 $80.80 minus P25 $51.20 = $29.60, suggesting comparatively tighter middle-market agreements.

    Median and mean differentials reflect similar patterns: Cigna’s mean of $95.10 exceeds its median $86.00, consistent with higher upper outliers, while Blue Cross Blue Shield’s mean $63.10 sits above its median $53.30 but with moderate skew. Aetna’s mean $57.90 and UnitedHealth Group’s mean $67.20 align more closely with their medians, reinforcing relative consistency. Across the commercial landscape BUCA’s $68.30 average approximates the mid-market position between the tighter Aetna/UnitedHealth Group dispersion and the wider variability evident with Cigna and Blue Cross Blue Shield.

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    National Payer Mean Reimbursement Rates

    State Reimbursement Rates

    State: Alaska1 / 51

    Rate by payer

    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is a legally declared brain-dead adult in an operating room or linked suite where organ procurement is planned for transplantation. The patient may be supported with mechanical ventilation and vasoactive infusions to maintain perfusion of transplantable organs. The anesthesiology provider is present to deliver physiological support during the procurement procedure, which includes hemodynamic optimization, ventilatory management, fluid balance, and coordination with the surgical and transplant teams. Common workflow steps: pre-procurement briefing with transplant surgeons and organ procurement organization; confirmation of brain death documentation (G93.82) and consent; review of relevant comorbidities including prior transplant status (Z94.0) or device dependence (Z99.89); induction and maintenance of physiologic support measures (vasopressors, inotropes, ventilator settings, temperature management); intraoperative monitoring (arterial line, central access as indicated); rapid coordination for organ-specific procurement (kidneys, liver, heart, lungs) with intermittent adjustments to maintain organ perfusion and oxygenation; handoff to recovery/transplant team and documentation of physiological parameters and medications titrated during the procurement period. Typical site of service is the operating room or an authorized organ procurement suite within a hospital. Typical service type is intraoperative physiological support/anesthesia care specifically directed to a brain-dead donor during organ procurement.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure

    Related Modifiers

    7 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    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…
    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…
    56Modifier ‑56 indicates the reporting provider furnished only the preoperative management for a surgical procedure and did not perform the intraoperative or postoperative care. It is used in…- Use Modifier -56 when a provider performs only the preoperative management in a split‑care situation (one physician manages preop care while a different physician performs the intraoperative…
    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…
    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…

    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…
    367500000XCertified Registered Nurse Anesthetist(1) A licensed registered nurse with advanced specialty education in anesthesia who, in collaboration with appropriate health care professionals, prov…
    207LA0401XAddiction Medicine (Anesthesiology) PhysicianAn anesthesiologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of addictions.
    207RA0000XAdolescent Medicine (Internal Medicine) PhysicianAn internist who specializes in adolescent medicine is a multi-disciplinary healthcare specialist trained in the unique physical, psychological and so…
    315P00000XIntellectual Disabilities Intermediate Care FacilityAn intermediate care facility providing services for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
    2470A2800XAssistant Health Information Record TechnicianNone
    1223D0001XPublic Health DentistryThe science and art of preventing and controlling dental diseases and promoting dental health through organized community efforts. It is that form of…
    2082S0105XSurgery of the Hand (Plastic Surgery) PhysicianA plastic surgeon with additional training in the investigation, preservation, and restoration by medical, surgical and rehabilitative means of all st…

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Anesthesiology1 / 4

    7 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

    Related Codes

    CPT-01991-ANESTHESIA-FOR-NERVE-BLOCK-INJECTION-NON-PRONE

    CPT 01991: Anesthesia for Nerve Block or Injection (Nonprone)

    CPT-01992-ANESTHESIA-FOR-NERVE-BLOCK-PRONE-SUPINE

    CPT 01992: Anesthesia for Nerve Block or Injection, Prone or Supine

    CPT-01996-ANESTHESIA-MANAGEMENT-CONTINUOUS-NEURAXIAL-DRUG-ADMINISTRATION

    CPT 01996: Anesthesia for Continuous Epidural or Subarachnoid Drug Administration

    CPT-01999-UNLISTED-ANESTHESIA-PROCEDURE

    CPT 01999: Anesthesia Unlisted Procedure

    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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    01991Anesthesia for diagnostic or therapeutic nerve blocks and injectionsMay be used when regional techniques or nerve blocks are performed in conjunction with procurement-related procedures or donor pain control prior to declaration (rare).
    01992Anesthesia for diagnostic or therapeutic nerve blocks and injectionsClosely related to 01991; used for specific nerve block anesthesia services in the peri-procurement setting when coded separately.
    99100Anesthesia for patient of extreme age, younger than 1 year and older than 70Use when donor age meets criteria and anesthesia payment adjustments for extreme age are applicable during physiologic support.
    99116Anesthesia complicated by utilization of total body hypothermiaUse when total body hypothermia is intentionally used during procurement and anesthesia management is complicated by this therapy.