Update On Moderate Sedation Coding
the AMA revised the codes and coding rules for moderate (conscious) sedation. In prior years, moderate sedation was bundled to with nearly 450 CPT® codes.In 2017, the AMA revised the codes and coding rules for moderate (conscious) sedation. In prior years, moderate sedation was bundled to with nearly 450 CPT® codes. Now, moderate sedation is always reported and paid separately, when medically necessary and properly documented.
99155 Moderate sedation services provided by a physician or other qualified healthcare professional other than the physician or other qualified healthcare professional performing the diagnostic or therapeutic service that the sedation supports; initial 15 minutes of intraservice time, patient younger than 5 years of age 99156 … initial 15 minutes of intraservice time, patient age 5 years or older 99157 … each additional 15 minutes intraservice time (List separately in addition to code for primary service)
In these cases, the provider performing the moderate sedation (not the provider performing the primary procedure) will bill for the moderate sedation. No independent observer is necessary to monitor the patient. When the same provider performs the primary procedure and the moderate sedation, the appropriate codes are:
99151 Moderate sedation services provided by the same physician or other qualified healthcare professional performing the diagnostic or therapeutic service that the sedation supports, requiring the presence of an independent trained observer to assist in the monitoring of the patient’s level of consciousness and physiological status; initial 15 minutes of intraservice time, patient younger than 5 years of age 99152 …initial 15 minutes of intraservice time, patient age 5 years or older 99153 … each additional 15 minutes intraservice time (list separately in addition to code for primary service)
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