01938 Anesthesia drainage/aspiration lumbar/sacral
Also known as: lumbar/sacral spine aspiration anesthesia
Anesthesia for needle drainage or aspiration procedures of the lumbar or sacral spine. Covers anesthesia for image-guided or blind aspiration of lumbar or sacral spinal lesions, abscesses, or fluid collections.
In Plain Language
anesthesia for lower back fluid drainage; being put to sleep for lower spine drainage procedure
Clinical Context
Used when providing anesthesia for diagnostic or therapeutic aspiration of lumbar or sacral spine pathology including lumbar epidural abscess drainage, disc aspiration for discitis, and sacral cyst aspiration. Often performed under fluoroscopic or CT guidance.
RVU Information
CPT 01938 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 01938?
CPT 01938 (Anesthesia drainage/aspiration lumbar/sacral) is a Anesthesia code. Anesthesia for needle drainage or aspiration procedures of the lumbar or sacral spine. Covers anesthesia for image-guided or blind aspiration of lumbar or sacral spinal lesions, abscesses, or fluid collections.
How is anesthesia code 01938 billed?
Anesthesia code 01938 is billed using base units plus time units (1 unit = 15 minutes). Used when providing anesthesia for diagnostic or therapeutic aspiration of lumbar or sacral spine pathology including lumbar epidural abscess drainage, disc aspiration for discitis, and sacral cyst aspiration. Often performed under fluoroscopic or CT guidance. Used by anesthesiology, interventional radiology, neurosurgery.
When is CPT 01938 used?
Used when providing anesthesia for diagnostic or therapeutic aspiration of lumbar or sacral spine pathology including lumbar epidural abscess drainage, disc aspiration for discitis, and sacral cyst aspiration. Often performed under fluoroscopic or CT guidance.
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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.