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00144
Anesthesia for Corneal Transplant Surgery Billing & Coding Guide
Code Description
CPT code 00144 reports anesthesia services provided for corneal transplant surgery. The anesthesia provider performs the pre-anesthesia evaluation, administers anesthesia, continuously monitors the patient throughout the procedure, manages the airway when necessary, and provides post-anesthesia care until the patient is safely transferred to recovery.
This code is commonly reported for penetrating keratoplasty, endothelial keratoplasty, anterior lamellar keratoplasty, and other corneal transplant procedures. Reimbursement is determined using anesthesia base units, documented anesthesia time, applicable physical status modifiers, and the payer's anesthesia conversion factor.
When to Use CPT 00144
Report 00144 when anesthesia services are provided for corneal transplant surgery. The anesthesia provider should document continuous care from induction through transfer to postoperative recovery.
When Not to Use CPT 00144
Do not report 00144 when another anesthesia CPT code more specifically describes the ophthalmic procedure or when anesthesia services are not personally provided or medically directed according to payer guidelines. This code should not be reported by the operating surgeon.
Documentation Requirements
Documentation should include the pre-anesthesia evaluation, anesthesia start and stop times, ASA physical status, medications administered, physiologic monitoring, airway management when applicable, patient response throughout the procedure, and the post-anesthesia evaluation. The operative report should clearly support that anesthesia was provided for corneal transplant surgery.
Documentation Checklist
✔ Medical necessity documented
✔ Corneal transplant documented
✔ Pre-anesthesia evaluation completed
✔ Anesthesia start and stop times documented
✔ ASA physical status documented
✔ Complete anesthesia record maintained
Billing Examples
Example 1
An anesthesiologist administers general anesthesia for a patient undergoing penetrating keratoplasty to restore vision affected by advanced keratoconus. Report CPT code 00144 for the anesthesia service.
Example 2
A patient undergoes endothelial keratoplasty for Fuchs' corneal dystrophy under monitored anesthesia care. The anesthesia provider documents the complete anesthesia record and reports CPT code 00144.
Base Units & Reimbursement
Anesthesia reimbursement for CPT 00144 is calculated using anesthesia base units, documented anesthesia time units, and the payer's anesthesia conversion factor. Additional reimbursement may apply when qualifying circumstances are documented according to payer policy.
Accurate anesthesia start and stop times, complete documentation, and the appropriate ASA physical status modifier are essential for proper reimbursement.
Coding & Billing Tips
Document Accurate Anesthesia Time
Record anesthesia start and stop times accurately because reimbursement is partially based on total anesthesia time.
Verify the Surgical Procedure
Confirm the procedure is a corneal transplant before reporting CPT code 00144.
Maintain Complete Documentation
Ensure the anesthesia record includes the pre-anesthesia evaluation, medications administered, physiologic monitoring, and postoperative assessment.
Common Billing Mistakes
Reporting the Wrong Anesthesia Code
Verify the ophthalmic procedure is a corneal transplant and not another eye surgery assigned to a different anesthesia CPT code.
Incomplete Time Documentation
Failure to document anesthesia start and stop times accurately may reduce reimbursement or delay claim processing.
Incomplete Anesthesia Record
Missing documentation of ASA physical status, medications, monitoring, or postoperative evaluation may result in claim denial.
Applicable ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Codes
Diagnosis codes should accurately reflect the documented condition and support medical necessity. The examples below are not all-inclusive.
H18.603 – Keratoconus, Unspecified Eye
This diagnosis may support medical necessity when corneal transplantation is performed because of advanced keratoconus. Documentation should support the severity of disease and need for surgery.
H18.20 – Corneal Edema, Unspecified Eye
This diagnosis may support medical necessity when corneal transplantation is necessary to restore vision affected by persistent corneal edema.
H18.519 – Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy, Unspecified Eye
This diagnosis may support medical necessity when corneal transplantation is required because of endothelial corneal disease affecting vision.
Related Codes
00140 – Anesthesia for Procedures on the Eye
Report 00140 for eye procedures when a more specific ophthalmic anesthesia CPT code does not apply.
00142 – Anesthesia for Lens Surgery
00142 describes anesthesia services provided during cataract and other lens surgery procedures.
00145 – Anesthesia for Vitreoretinal Surgery
00145 describes anesthesia services provided during vitreoretinal surgical procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is CPT code 00144 reimbursed?
Reimbursement is based on anesthesia base units, anesthesia time, the payer's conversion factor, and applicable payment adjustments.
Does CPT code 00144 include anesthesia time?
Yes. Documented anesthesia time is included when calculating reimbursement.
Can a CRNA report CPT code 00144?
Yes. CRNAs may report CPT code 00144 when billing under applicable Medicare and commercial payer guidelines.
Is CPT code 00144 only used for corneal transplant surgery?
Yes. CPT code 00144 specifically applies to anesthesia services provided during corneal transplant procedures.
Can CPT code 00144 be reported for endothelial keratoplasty?
Yes. Endothelial keratoplasty is a type of corneal transplant procedure that may be reported with CPT code 00144 when anesthesia services are provided.
Category
CPT
Reimbursment
Hospital & ASC
Base Units + Time Units
Description
Code Type
Code
00144
Corneal transplant surgery
Anesthesia
Common Setting
