CPT Code 00540Complete Billing & Coding Guide (2026)Anes thoracotomy px nos
About CPT 00540
CPT 00540 is a Current Procedural Terminology code in the Performance Measures category maintained by the American Medical Association. The CMS short descriptor reads "Anes thoracotomy px nos". For the full AMA long descriptor and clinical guidance, refer to the current CPT code manual.
Documentation specificity, correct ICD-10 linkage, and modifier accuracy determine whether 00540 pays cleanly or triggers a denial. Verify CMS National Physician Fee Schedule status, applicable Medicare LCDs, and any payer-specific medical policies before submission.
00540 has 10 NCCI bundling edit pairs documented. Run your scrubber against the NCCI quarterly update before submission. When clinically warranted, use modifier 59 or the X-modifiers (XE, XS, XP, XU) to bypass an indicator-1 edit, with chart documentation supporting the distinct service.
Code Properties
RVU Breakdown
Every CPT code’s Medicare payment is calculated from three Relative Value Unit components: physician work, practice expense, and malpractice. Together they multiply by the conversion factor to produce the payment amount.
Payment = Total RVU × Conversion Factor ($33.4009) × Geographic Adjustment (GPCI). National averages shown. Actual payment varies by locality.
NCCI Bundling Edits
10 pairsThese codes trigger National Correct Coding Initiative edits when billed with 00540. An indicator of 0 means the pair cannot be unbundled. Indicator 1 means modifier 59 or X-modifiers may allow separate billing with supporting documentation.
Billing 00540 alongside a bundled code without the correct modifier generates CARC 97 denials. Payers often flag these as audit risks. Document medical necessity for the separate service and apply modifier 59 or the appropriate X-modifier (XE, XS, XP, XU) only when clinically justified.
Standard preparation/monitoring services for anesthesia
Standard preparation/monitoring services for anesthesia
Standard preparation/monitoring services for anesthesia
Standard preparation/monitoring services for anesthesia
Standard preparation/monitoring services for anesthesia
Standard preparation/monitoring services for anesthesia
Standard preparation/monitoring services for anesthesia
Standard preparation/monitoring services for anesthesia
Standard preparation/monitoring services for anesthesia
Standard preparation/monitoring services for anesthesia
Bundling denials on 00540 are recoverable when the edit indicator is 1 and the chart documents a distinct, separately identifiable service. Our coders verify the indicator and pick the precise X-modifier (XE, XS, XP, XU) instead of defaulting to modifier 59.
Applicable Modifiers
Modifiers commonly paired with 00540 based on its category. Apply only when the clinical circumstance warrants. Incorrect modifier use is a top audit target.
Modifier audits catch what scrubbers miss. Our AAPC-certified team reviews every modifier choice on 00540 against the chart documentation before submission, surfacing missed and misapplied modifiers across the practice.
Supporting ICD-10 Diagnoses
These diagnosis codes commonly support medical necessity for CPT 00540. Using the correct ICD-10 prevents CARC 50 denials. Payer rejects when the diagnosis doesn’t support the procedure.
CARC 50 medical-necessity denials carry both rework cost and an audit-risk signal when patterns repeat. Our coders verify ICD-10 specificity and policy alignment at the coding stage so these losses get prevented upstream.
Find the revenue leakage in your 00540 claims.
Wrong modifier, missing documentation, bundling without justification, stale ICD-10 linkage: these are the silent revenue killers on Performance Measures claims. Our AAPC-certified team audits your last 90 days of 00540 claims, surfaces the recoverable dollars, and appeals them. Free, no obligation.
Losing revenue on CPT 00540? We’ll find it.
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Everything about CPT 00540
What does CPT code 00540 cover?
CPT 00540 is a Current Procedural Terminology code in the Performance Measures category maintained by the American Medical Association. The CMS short descriptor reads "Anes thoracotomy px nos". For the full AMA long descriptor and clinical guidance, refer to the current CPT code manual.
What is the Medicare payment for CPT 00540?
The national average Medicare payment for CPT 00540 is approximately $0 in a non-facility setting and $0 in a facility setting. Actual payment varies by locality based on GPCI adjustments. Total RVU is 0 with a conversion factor of $33.4009.
What is the global period for CPT 00540?
CPT 00540 has no global period (indicator XXX). There are no post-operative day restrictions tied to this code. Refer to CMS National Physician Fee Schedule rules and any applicable NCCI edits when billing on the same date as other services.
What codes bundle with CPT 00540?
CPT 00540 has NCCI Procedure-to-Procedure edits with 10+ codes including 01996, 0213T, 0216T. Modifier indicator 0 means the edit cannot be bypassed. Indicator 1 means modifier 59 or X-modifiers may allow separate billing with documentation.
CPT codes and descriptions are copyright of the American Medical Association. RVU values reflect current CMS publications. Actual payment varies by locality. Commercial payer rates vary by contract.
Free 90-Day AR Recovery Audit
We audit your last 90 days of claims and surface the revenue leakage: wrong modifiers, missed bundling appeals, ICD-10 specificity gaps. AAPC-certified coders. 2.49% of collections. No setup fees.