CPT code 99140: Qualifying circumstances for anesthesia

An emergency for CPT code 99140 involves an immediate threat to life or significant bodily function, requiring urgent intervention. Documentation must explicitly reflect this emergency condition.

No. CPT 99140 applies specifically to emergencies requiring immediate anesthesia. Urgent but previously scheduled surgeries do not typically qualify unless a genuine emergent complication arises at the time of anesthesia.

CPT codes 00100-01999 represent primary anesthesia procedures, while codes 99100-99140 are qualifying circumstances add-on codes. These add-on codes indicate special conditions that significantly complicate anesthesia administration, such as extreme age, controlled hypotension, or emergency situations.