00550 Anesthesia for sternal debridement
Also known as: sternal debridement anesthesia, sternal wound anesthesia
Anesthesia for sternal debridement. Covers general anesthesia for surgical debridement of the sternum, typically following median sternotomy wound infection or dehiscence after cardiac surgery.
In Plain Language
anesthesia for breastbone wound cleaning; being put to sleep for infected chest bone surgery
Clinical Context
Used when providing anesthesia for debridement of the sternum, most commonly for deep sternal wound infection (mediastinitis) following cardiac surgery via median sternotomy. May require repeated procedures and eventual sternal reconstruction with muscle flap closure.
RVU Information
CPT 00550 does not have a physician work RVU assigned by CMS. Anesthesia codes use a base unit + time unit system rather than standard RVUs. Contact your payer for the anesthesia conversion factor.
Billing & Documentation
Anesthesia codes are billed using base units plus time units. One time unit typically equals 15 minutes of anesthesia time. Document start and stop times, patient status (P1-P6), and any qualifying circumstances. Modifiers AA, QK, QX, or QY indicate the provider arrangement.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 00550?
CPT 00550 (Anesthesia for sternal debridement) is a Anesthesia code. Anesthesia for sternal debridement. Covers general anesthesia for surgical debridement of the sternum, typically following median sternotomy wound infection or dehiscence after cardiac surgery.
How is anesthesia code 00550 billed?
Anesthesia code 00550 is billed using base units plus time units (1 unit = 15 minutes). Used when providing anesthesia for debridement of the sternum, most commonly for deep sternal wound infection (mediastinitis) following cardiac surgery via median sternotomy. May require repeated procedures and eventual sternal reconstruction with muscle flap closure. Used by anesthesiology, cardiothoracic surgery, plastic surgery.
When is CPT 00550 used?
Used when providing anesthesia for debridement of the sternum, most commonly for deep sternal wound infection (mediastinitis) following cardiac surgery via median sternotomy. May require repeated procedures and eventual sternal reconstruction with muscle flap closure.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.