| MP 2.01.11 | Total Body and Regional Hypothermia | |
| Medical Policy | ||
| Section Medicine |
Original Policy Date 12/1/95 |
Last Review Status/Date No routine review scheduled/1:2003 |
| Issue 1:2003 |
Return to Medical Policy Index |
Disclaimer
Our medical policies are designed for informational purposes only and are not an authorization, or an explanation of benefits, or a contract. Receipt of benefits is subject to satisfaction of all terms and conditions of the coverage. Medical technology is constantly changing, and we reserve the right to review and update our policies periodically.
Description
Total and regional body hypothermia is the lowering of the total body temperature to less than 30° C in order to limit ischemic damage during surgical procedures. Total body hypothermia is an integral part of certain procedures, such as open heart surgery. Regional body hypothermia, involving catheter infusion of iced saline solution, is used during procedures that involve clamping a critical artery; common examples include renal procedures.
Policy
Total body and regional hypothermia may be considered medically necessary as a technique to limit ischemic damage during surgical procedures.
Policy Guidelines
No applicable information
Benefit Application
BlueCard/National Account Issues
Total and regional body hypothermia (CPT codes 99186 and 99185, respectively) may be considered an integral part of the accompanying surgical procedure and associated anesthesia (i.e., CPT code 99116) and thus may not be eligible for payment as a separate procedure. When billed separately, total body hypothermia is typically billed by the anesthesiologist, while regional hypothermia is billed by the surgeon.
Rationale
2002 Update
A literature search of the MEDLINE database was performed for the period of 1998 to 2002. No literature was identified that would change the policy statement. Both regional and total hypothermia continue to be a standard component of certain surgeries. The focus of this policy is not on clinical issues, but rather the Benefit Application section, which remains unchanged.
|
Codes |
Number |
Description |
| CPT | 99116 | Anesthesia complicated by utilization of total body hypothermia |
| 99185 | Hypothermia; regional | |
| 99186 | Hypothermia; total body | |
| ICD-9 Procedure | 39.62 | Hypothermia (systemic) incidental to open heart surgery |
| HCPCS | No code | |
| Type of Service | Medical | |
| Place of Service | Inpatient | |
Index
Hypothermia, Total Body
Total Body Hypothermia
Policy History
| Date | Action | Reason |
| 12/01/95 | Add to Medicine section | New Policy |
| 04/01/98 | Replace Policy | Updated to include regional hypothermia |
| 12/18/02 | Replace Policy | Policy reviewed; policy statement and benefit applications section unchanged |
| 04/29/03 | Replace Policy | Policy no longer scheduled for routine literature review. |
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