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    OpenPayerBilling CodesInpatient Neonatal and Pediatric Critical CareCPT cpt-99475-initial-critical-care-child-2-to-5-inpatient
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    CPT 99475: Initial Evaluation and Management of Critically Ill Child (2–5 yrs)

    Medicare pays $484 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 99475 describes the provider’s initial evaluation and management of a critically ill child aged two to five years and represents a critical care-style inpatient evaluation and management service provided at the patient’s bedside in an inpatient facility setting, documenting assessment, stabilization efforts, and decision-making for a child in critical condition.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Ambulance and Medical Transport Services (Ground, Air and Water) Corporate Medical Policy, Emergency Air/Water Ambulance Services Medical Guideline, Non-Emergent Ambulance Services.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical presentation is a child aged two to five years transported to the emergency department from home or a referring clinic with rapidly progressive respiratory distress, altered mental status, severe sepsis, or major traumatic injury. On arrival the child is triaged to an inpatient acute care or pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) bed. The admitting physician (pediatric hospitalist or pediatric intensivist) performs an immediate, focused initial evaluation and management. The clinician documents a timed, critical care-level assessment addressing airway, breathing, circulation, disability, and exposure; performs rapid bedside procedures as indicated (for example, urgent intubation, placement of intravenous or intraosseous access, bolus resuscitation); orders and interprets urgent diagnostic tests (blood gas, lactate, chest radiograph, point-of-care ultrasound); and initiates life-saving interventions (vasopressors, mechanical ventilation, fluid management, or antibiotic therapy). The workflow includes handoff communication to the critical care team, brief discussion with guardians about the child’s critical condition and interventions performed, and documentation of time spent performing critical interventions and decision-making that meets the requirements for critical care coding for a critically ill child aged two through five years under 99475.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    99291Critical care, evaluation and management of the critically ill or critically injured patient; first 30-74 minutesAdult-oriented critical care time-based code often used for critically ill patients older than the pediatric-specific CPT codes; similar time-based structure to pediatric critical care codes.
    99476The provider performs initial evaluation and management of a critically ill child, ages six to eleven years, in an inpatient settingPediatric critical care code for the next age band; used when the patient’s age falls into the 6–11 year range.
    99477The provider performs subsequent inpatient critical care of a critically ill infant or child (first hour)Used for ongoing critical care management after the initial evaluation and stabilization coded with 99475.
    36556Insertion of non-tunneled centrally inserted central venous catheter; age 5 years or youngerCommon invasive vascular access procedure performed during initial critical management when central access is required.
    31500Intubation, endotracheal, emergency procedureEmergency endotracheal intubation frequently performed during initial critical care evaluation for airway compromise.
    94002Ventilation assist and management, initiation of pressure or volume preset ventilator for assisted or controlled ventilation; inpatientInitiation of mechanical ventilation often occurs during the initial critical evaluation and stabilization.

    Related Modifiers

    8 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…
    25CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…
    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…
    95Modifier 95 indicates that a service was provided via synchronous, real‑time audio‑video telehealth rather than in‑person. Per CMS, AAPC and professional associations, append modifier 95 to claim…- Use modifier 95 to indicate a service was furnished via synchronous, real‑time audiovisual telehealth (a live audio‑video conference between patient and provider) rather than in‑person. - Pair…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    208000000X
    2080P0206X
    2084P0800X
    207RC0000X
    163WS0121X
    2084P2900X
    1835P0018X
    2085D0003X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Emergency & Medical Transportation1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Ambulance and Medical Transport Services (Ground, Air and Water) Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2026-10-01
    Emergency Air/Water Ambulance Services Medical GuidelineWPS Health Insurance2026-10-01
    Non-Emergent Ambulance ServicesConnectiCare2026-09-11
    Fixed Wing Air Ambulance TransportCigna2026-08-15
    Air AmbulanceAmbetter Georgia2026-08-01
    Ambulance Services (for New Mexico Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Ambulance Services (for Tennessee Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Clinical Policy: Air AmbulanceAmbetter Nevada2026-08-01
    Air AmbulanceCentene2026-08-01
    Clinical Policy: Air AmbulanceArizona Complete Health2026-08-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-99468-INITIAL-NEONATAL-CRITICAL-CARE-EVALUATION

    CPT 99468: Initial Neonatal Critical Care Evaluation

    CPT-99469-SUBSEQUENT-NEONATAL-CRITICAL-CARE-EM-VM

    CPT 99469: Subsequent Neonatal Critical Care, <28 Days

    CPT-99471-CRITICAL-CARE-INFANT-INPATIENT-INITIAL-EVALUATION

    CPT 99471: Initial Critical Care for Infant 29 Days–24 Months

    CPT-99472-INPATIENT-FOLLOW-UP-CRITICALLY-ILL-INFANT-YOUNG-CHILD

    CPT 99472: Follow-Up Critical Care for Critically Ill Infant or Young Child

    CPT-99476-PEDIATRIC-CRITICAL-CARE-FOLLOW-UP-INPATIENT

    CPT 99476: Follow-up Care for Critically Ill Child, Age 2–5 Years

    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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