Name of Manual - Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

Coding Policies and Guidelines (Anesthesia)
11-4
Code Base
Units
Description
99140 2 Anesthesia complicated by emergency
conditions (specify)
(List separately in addition to the code for the
primary anesthesia procedure.) (An emergency is
defined as existing when delay in treatment of
the patient would lead to a significant increase in
the threat of life or body part.)
Physical Status Six levels are currently recognized for patient physical status that
may be used to distinguish various levels of complexity of the
anesthesia service provided. Submit these physical status modifiers
in the second modifier position, on the same line as the anesthesia
service code. The corresponding eligible base units that may be
allowed are also listed.
Qualifying
Circumstances and
Physical Status
Submission
Modifier
Base
Units Description
P1 0 Normal, healthy patient
P2 0 Patient with mild systemic disease
P3 1 Patient with severe systemic disease
P4 2 Patient with severe systemic disease that is a
constant threat to life
P5 3 A moribund patient who is not expected to
survive without the operation
P6 0 Declared brain-dead patient whose organs are
being removed for donor purposes
The example below illustrates a claim that is submitted
appropriately. It is for a situation where both qualifying
circumstances and physical status may apply.
Procedure
Code Modifier Description
00862 AA P3 Anesthesia for extra- peritoneal
procedures in lower abdomen, including
urinary tract; renal procedures, including
upper one-third of ureter, or donor
nephrectomy
Performed by a full-time M.D.
Patient with severe systemic disease
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Provider Policy and Procedure Manual (02/21/12)