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Moderate sedation services, as defined by CPT® Code 99144, refer to the administration of sedative agents to patients aged five years or older during diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. These services are provided by the same physician or qualified healthcare professional who is performing the procedure that necessitates sedation. The process involves the presence of an independent trained observer whose role is to assist in monitoring the patient's level of consciousness and physiological status throughout the sedation period. Prior to the administration of sedation, a thorough patient assessment is conducted to ensure safety and appropriateness of the sedation. An intravenous line is typically inserted to facilitate the administration of fluids and sedative agents as needed. During the procedure, the patient is maintained under moderate sedation, which requires continuous monitoring of vital signs, including oxygen saturation, heart rate, and blood pressure. After the procedure is completed, the physician or qualified healthcare professional continues to monitor the patient until they have sufficiently recovered from the effects of sedation, at which point the patient can be safely handed over to nursing staff for ongoing care. It is important to note that different codes are used for patients of varying ages; specifically, CPT® Code 99143 is designated for patients younger than five years, while CPT® Code 99145 is applicable for each additional 15 minutes of intra-service time for patients of any age.
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The indications for the use of moderate sedation services under CPT® Code 99144 include the following:
The procedural steps for administering moderate sedation under CPT® Code 99144 are as follows:
Post-procedure care following moderate sedation services involves continued monitoring of the patient until they have fully recovered from the effects of sedation. The healthcare professional must ensure that the patient is alert, stable, and able to respond appropriately before transferring them to nursing staff. It is important to observe for any adverse reactions to the sedative agents used and to provide supportive care as needed. The patient should be informed about the effects of sedation and advised on post-procedure instructions, including restrictions on activities such as driving or operating heavy machinery until the effects of the sedation have worn off completely.
| Short Descr | MOD SEDAT PHYS/QHP 5YRS/> | Medium Descr | MODERATE SEDATJ SAME PHYS/QHP 5/>YRS INIT 30 MIN | Long Descr | Moderate sedation services (other than those services described by codes 00100-01999) provided by the same physician or other qualified health care professional performing the diagnostic or therapeuti | Status Code | Carriers Price the Code | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | Physician Supervisions | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Items and Services Packaged into APC Rates | Type of Service (TOS) | 7 - Anesthesia | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P6C - Minor procedures - other (Medicare fee schedule) | MUE | Not applicable/unspecified. | CCS Clinical Classification | 232 - Anesthesia |
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