How to Bill CPT 00120 for Anesthesia Services

When to Use CPT Code 00120

CPT 00120 is used for anesthesia services provided during surgical or diagnostic procedures.

• •Service type: Anesthesia
• •Billing basis: Base units, time units, and modifiers
• •Who bills it: Anesthesiologists and CRNAs

Common scenarios:

• •Surgical procedures requiring anesthesia
• •Diagnostic procedures with sedation
• •Complex cases requiring monitored anesthesia care (MAC)

Insurance Verification Tips for CPT 00120

1. •Confirm procedure–anesthesia code pairing.
2. •Apply appropriate physical status modifiers (P1–P6).
3. •Track anesthesia start and stop times accurately.
4. •Verify MAC and medical necessity requirements.

Example Case of CPT 00120

An anesthesia provider administers anesthesia services during a procedure and documents time, modifiers, and patient status.
The service is billed as CPT 00120 with applicable modifiers.