00635 Anesthesia diagnostic/therapeutic lumbar puncture
Also known as: lumbar puncture anesthesia, spinal tap anesthesia, LP anesthesia
Anesthesia for diagnostic or therapeutic lumbar puncture. Covers anesthesia or sedation for spinal tap performed for diagnostic cerebrospinal fluid analysis or therapeutic CSF drainage.
In Plain Language
anesthesia for spinal tap; being put to sleep for a lower back fluid test
Clinical Context
Used when providing anesthesia for lumbar puncture, particularly in pediatric patients, anxious adults, or patients requiring sedation for cooperation. Diagnostic LPs evaluate for meningitis, subarachnoid hemorrhage, or CSF abnormalities. Therapeutic LPs treat idiopathic intracranial hypertension.
RVU Information
CPT 00635 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 00635?
CPT 00635 (Anesthesia diagnostic/therapeutic lumbar puncture) is a Anesthesia code. Anesthesia for diagnostic or therapeutic lumbar puncture. Covers anesthesia or sedation for spinal tap performed for diagnostic cerebrospinal fluid analysis or therapeutic CSF drainage.
How is anesthesia code 00635 billed?
Anesthesia code 00635 is billed using base units plus time units (1 unit = 15 minutes). Used when providing anesthesia for lumbar puncture, particularly in pediatric patients, anxious adults, or patients requiring sedation for cooperation. Diagnostic LPs evaluate for meningitis, subarachnoid hemorrhage, or CSF abnormalities. Therapeutic LPs treat idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Used by anesthesiology, neurology, pediatrics.
When is CPT 00635 used?
Used when providing anesthesia for lumbar puncture, particularly in pediatric patients, anxious adults, or patients requiring sedation for cooperation. Diagnostic LPs evaluate for meningitis, subarachnoid hemorrhage, or CSF abnormalities. Therapeutic LPs treat idiopathic intracranial hypertension.
Track This Code in RVU Edge
Log procedures, calculate wRVUs, and benchmark against MGMA data — all in one app.
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.