For a patient under one year of age with tricuspid atresia undergoing a Fontan procedure, what is the appropriate CPT code?

The appropriate CPT code for a patient under one year of age with tricuspid atresia undergoing a Fontan procedure is indeed 00561. This code specifically designates the anesthesia services provided during a surgical procedure for congenital heart defects in infants.

In the context of anesthesia coding, it is critical to choose the correct code that reflects both the patient population and the specific surgical intervention. The Fontan procedure is a complex cardiac surgery often performed in children with single ventricle physiology, and selecting a code that captures this specific condition and age group ensures appropriate billing and reimbursement.

The codes related to anesthesia for congenital heart surgeries differ based on age and type of procedure, so it's essential to recognize that 00561 corresponds to the scenario described, where the patient is under one year of age and undergoing a high-complexity cardiac procedure. This specificity is crucial for the accurate representation of the services rendered and compliance with coding standards.