Question: A child comes in with a high fever, and the pediatrician suspects meningitis. The physician performs a spinal tap under moderate sedation. Should I report the sedation with 99143-99145 or 99148-99150? In your case, one pediatrician performs the spinal tap (62270, Spinal puncture, lumbar, diagnostic) and provides the moderate sedation. So, you should choose the age-appropriate code from 99143-99144.
New Jersey Subscriber
Answer: You can easily determine the correct code set if you answer this question: Does the sedation and procedure involve one physician or two?
• One MD: When a pediatrician performs the procedure and provides the sedation, you should use 99143-99145 (Moderate sedation services ... provided by the same physician performing the diagnostic or therapeutic service that the sedation supports ...).
• Two MDs: When different physicians provide the procedure and service, use the second set of codes, 99148-99150 (Moderate sedation services ... provided by a physician other than the healthcare professional performing the diagnostic or therapeutic service that the sedation supports ...).
Don't miss: Codes 99143-99144 capture the first 30 minutes of intra-service time. For each additional 15 minutes, assign 99145.