Spend time on moderate sedation; stop self-inflicted pay cuts next year

Why This Topic Matters

Moderate sedation reporting changed materially in CPT 2017, which can affect whether sedation is separately reported, how time is counted, and how documentation supports billing. Practices that do not update their coding tools and workflows may risk underreporting or inconsistent claims handling.

Article Sections

1. Coding

   Introduces the scope of the CPT 2017 moderate sedation changes and why they affect reporting and reimbursement. Summarizes the broad policy shift away from the prior bundled approach.

2. New policy, new revenue risk

   Describes the practical impact of the revised policy using a procedure-based scenario. Highlights how the update changes the relationship between the procedure and moderate sedation reporting.

3. Modified time rules for moderate sedation

   Explains the revised time-reporting structure for moderate sedation services in CPT 2017. Covers the basic timing framework and how the new guidance differs from general time-based coding conventions.

4. Understand intraservice work

   Outlines the updated emphasis on pre-, intra-, and postservice work for moderate sedation. Also addresses how the intraservice portion is defined and distinguished from related activities.

5. 4 steps to take now

   Lists practice preparation areas such as documentation tools, chart review, time tracking, and awareness of anesthesia-related code structure. Focuses on operational readiness for the new policy.