This page is a central location for anesthesia information, including CMS resources.

Policy Information

Not all services have a policy associated with them. We will consider Reasonable and Necessary Guidelines in the absence of an LCD, billing and coding article, NCD, or CMS manual instruction that limits coverage. 

LCDs

Learn more about the LCD development process through the following:

• LCD Development Process
• Journey to LCD coverage

Search for anesthesia-related LCDs using these available resources:

• LCD interactive index
• Active / proposed LCDs on CMS Medicare Coverage Database (MCD)

NCDs

Search for anesthesia-related NCDs using these available tools:

• Search CMS MCD

Medical Documentation

For a claim to be valid, documentation must demonstrate compliance with all applicable coverage, coding and billing requirements and substantiate the level of care billed. The following resources are specific to anesthesia, but may not address all required medical documentation requirements:

• Medical Documentation Checklists

Claim Submission and Reimbursement 

• 2026 Anesthesia Conversion Factors
• 2025 Anesthesia Conversion Factors 
• How Anesthesia Reimbursement is Calculated

Additional Information

• Inappropriate Billing of Anesthesia Services for Epidural Steroid Injections (ESI) and Facet Joint Injections for Pain Management
• View our FastTrack to Medicare coverage policies to locate guidelines

CMS

• Anesthesiologists Information Center
• Anesthesia in Cardiac Pacemaker Surgery 
• CMS IOM Pub. 100-04 Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 12, Section 50 

Education

View our wide selection of free, live and on-demand training options:

• View our upcoming Educational Events Calendar
• View On-demand Learning

Stay informed

Stay updated on the latest Medicare information with free email subscriptions:

• Subscribe to eNews
• CMS.gov MLN Connects Newsletter