How To Use CPT Code 99140

CPT 99140 is an add-on code used to describe anesthesia services complicated by emergency conditions. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes, and examples of CPT code 99140 procedures.

1. What is CPT 99140?

CPT 99140 is an add-on code used in conjunction with a primary anesthesia procedure code to describe situations where the administration of anesthesia becomes complex due to the presence of an emergency condition. This code is applied when the patient experiences an emergency situation during the anesthesia procedure, such as a rapid heartbeat, high or low blood pressure, or other health risk factors that can affect the anesthesia service. The emergency condition must be documented in the patient’s medical record by the physician or anesthesiologist providing the service.

2. 99140 CPT code description

The official description of CPT code 99140 is: “Anesthesia complicated by emergency conditions (specify) (List separately in addition to code for primary anesthesia procedure)”.

3. Procedure

The 99140 procedure involves the following steps:

1. The physician or anesthesiologist administers the primary anesthesia procedure to the patient.
2. During the anesthesia procedure, an emergency condition arises that complicates the administration of anesthesia.
3. The physician or anesthesiologist identifies and documents the emergency condition in the patient’s medical record.
4. The CPT 99140 code is added to the primary anesthesia procedure code when billing for the anesthesia service.

4. Qualifying circumstances

Patients eligible to receive CPT code 99140 services are those who experience an emergency condition during the administration of anesthesia that complicates the procedure. An emergency is defined as a situation where delaying treatment would lead to a significant increase in the threat to the patient’s life or body part. The physician or anesthesiologist must document the emergency condition and the reason for the emergency in the patient’s medical record.

5. When to use CPT code 99140

It is appropriate to bill the 99140 CPT code when the following conditions are met:

• An emergency condition arises during the administration of anesthesia.
• The emergency condition complicates the anesthesia procedure.
• The physician or anesthesiologist documents the emergency condition and the reason for the emergency in the patient’s medical record.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 99140, the following information must be documented in the patient’s medical record:

• The emergency condition that arose during the anesthesia procedure.
• The reason for the emergency and how it complicated the anesthesia procedure.
• The physician or anesthesiologist’s assessment and management of the emergency condition.

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT code 99140, keep in mind the following guidelines and tips:

• Use CPT 99140 as an add-on code in addition to the primary anesthesia procedure code.
• Ensure that the emergency condition and the reason for the emergency are documented in the patient’s medical record by the physician or anesthesiologist.
• Medicare does not pay for the emergency CPT code 99140.

8. Historical information

CPT 99140 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Similar codes to CPT 99140

Five similar codes to CPT 99140 and how they differentiate from CPT 99140 are:

1. CPT 99100: This code is used for anesthesia procedures complicated by the patient’s age (younger than 1 year or older than 70 years).
2. CPT 99116: This code is used for anesthesia procedures complicated by the utilization of total body hypothermia.
3. CPT 99135: This code is used for anesthesia procedures complicated by the utilization of controlled hypotension.
4. CPT 99151: This code is used for moderate sedation services provided by the same physician or other qualified health care professional performing the diagnostic or therapeutic service.
5. CPT 99152: This code is used for moderate sedation services provided by a physician or other qualified health care professional other than the one performing the diagnostic or therapeutic service.

10. Examples

Here are 10 detailed examples of CPT code 99140 procedures:

1. A patient undergoing a surgical procedure experiences a sudden drop in blood pressure during the administration of anesthesia, requiring the anesthesiologist to manage the emergency condition.
2. During a dental procedure, a patient experiences an allergic reaction to the anesthesia, causing difficulty breathing and requiring immediate intervention by the anesthesiologist.
3. A patient undergoing a cesarean section experiences a rapid heartbeat during the administration of anesthesia, necessitating the anesthesiologist to manage the emergency condition.
4. During a knee replacement surgery, a patient experiences a seizure while under anesthesia, requiring the anesthesiologist to manage the emergency condition.
5. A patient undergoing a colonoscopy experiences a sudden drop in oxygen saturation during the administration of anesthesia, necessitating the anesthesiologist to manage the emergency condition.
6. During a hysterectomy, a patient experiences an unexpected bleeding complication while under anesthesia, requiring the anesthesiologist to manage the emergency condition.
7. A patient undergoing a tonsillectomy experiences a severe bronchospasm during the administration of anesthesia, necessitating the anesthesiologist to manage the emergency condition.
8. During a gallbladder removal surgery, a patient experiences a sudden onset of ventricular tachycardia while under anesthesia, requiring the anesthesiologist to manage the emergency condition.
9. A patient undergoing a hip replacement surgery experiences a life-threatening allergic reaction to the anesthesia, necessitating the anesthesiologist to manage the emergency condition.
10. During a thyroidectomy, a patient experiences a sudden onset of malignant hyperthermia while under anesthesia, requiring the anesthesiologist to manage the emergency condition.