ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

You could be coding more deep sedation services this year in the ED, thanks to recent changes. Your claims' accuracy will depend on careful documentation of the duration and level of consciousness achieved. Read on for expert advice on modifier use and payer regulations dealing with anesthesia.What's driving the trend: The advent of newer sedation drugs, particularly propofol, have led to greater sedation effectiveness and less recovery time for the patient after deep sedation, thus making the services a better fit in the ED. Increased residency training in deep sedation protocols have also contributed to the increase. Green light from CMS: CMS issued a policy clarification in January 2011 that clearly recognized that it is acceptable to CMS for emergency physicians to provide all levels of sedation. CMS stated that "Emergency Medicine-trained physicians are uniquely qualified to provide all levels of analgesia/sedation and anesthesia (moderate to deep to general)."Take This [...]