In simple words: This code covers the anesthesia services given to a patient during a panniculectomy (surgery to remove excess skin and fat from the lower belly). The anesthesiologist checks the patient before surgery, gives them medicine to make them sleep, watches them carefully during the operation, and helps them after the surgery is over.The amount billed depends on how long the anesthesia lasted.

This CPT code represents anesthesia services rendered during a panniculectomy performed on the lower anterior abdominal wall.The anesthesia provider's responsibilities encompass pre-operative patient evaluation, induction of anesthesia, monitoring throughout the procedure (including recording medication administration, monitoring types, patient responses, and anesthesia start/stop times), and overseeing post-operative patient transfer to post-anesthesia care. Standard monitoring (ECG, temperature, blood pressure, oximetry, capnography, and mass spectrometry) is included; however, unusual monitoring (Swan-Ganz catheters, intra-arterial lines, or central venous lines) requires separate coding with sufficient documentation. Anesthesia time, calculated per payer guidelines (e.g., 15-minute units), is a crucial factor in determining total units billed, which are then used to calculate the total reimbursement amount.The most complex procedure with the highest base unit value is selected when multiple anesthesia services are provided during the same encounter.Qualifying circumstance codes (e.g., 99100, 99116, 99135, 99140) may be added for complex cases.The patient's physical status modifier (P1-P6) is assigned by the anesthesia provider, and appropriate HCPCS modifiers (AA, AD, QK, QY, GC, QX, QZ, G8, G9, QS) are appended as needed for Medicare and other payers. Reimbursement is available for qualified anesthesiologists, other qualified physicians, CRNAs (under supervision), and AAs (under supervision).

Example 1: A 55-year-old female patient undergoes a panniculectomy to remove excess abdominal skin and fat following significant weight loss.The anesthesiologist administers general anesthesia, monitors vital signs, and manages any intraoperative complications., A 60-year-old male patient with a history of hypertension and diabetes requires anesthesia for a panniculectomy. The anesthesiologist carefully manages the patient's comorbidities, adjusting medications and monitoring as needed throughout the procedure., A 40-year-old patient with severe obesity requires a prolonged panniculectomy. The anesthesiologist utilizes advanced monitoring techniques and ensures careful pain management throughout the lengthy procedure and postoperative period.

* Pre-operative anesthesia evaluation notes including patient history, physical exam findings, and assessment of risk factors.* Intraoperative anesthesia record detailing medications administered, monitoring parameters, and patient responses.* Post-operative anesthesia notes documenting the patient's condition at the end of the procedure and the safe transfer to post-anesthesia care.* Anesthesia time documentation (minutes).

** The information provided pertains to the anesthesia component of a panniculectomy. The surgical procedure itself (panniculectomy) requires separate coding.