Moderate Sedation

Why This Topic Matters

The policy changes described here affect whether moderate sedation is separately reportable, how time is counted, and how practices should update documentation tools and internal processes. It is relevant to avoiding missed reimbursement opportunities and denials under the revised CPT framework.

Article Sections

1. New policy, new revenue risk

   Introduces the scope of the CPT 2017 moderate sedation changes and the types of services and payment scenarios affected. It also discusses why practices that perform procedures with built-in sedation may need to review their reporting workflows.

2. Modified time rules for moderate sedation

   Summarizes the revised time-based structure for moderate sedation reporting and the special counting framework described in the CPT 2017 manual. It also notes the presence of official timing guidance and examples of how elapsed time is grouped.

3. Understand intraservice work

   Focuses on the distinctions among pre-service, intraservice, and postservice work as described in the updated guidance. It explains the general kinds of activities associated with each phase and how the article frames the service period.

4. 4 steps to take to avoid denials

   Reviews operational checklist items for updating documentation, charge capture, and review processes in response to the revised sedation policy. It also mentions the need to watch for procedures that incorporate anesthesia-related components.