Use of moderate or deep sedation, general anesthesia and MAC is not covered. Minimal sedation anxiolysis, where patient can respond normally to verbal commends is permitted. “Twilight” sedation is not part of the ASA continuum of the depth of sedation, so the specific depth of sedation (if used) must be reported in the medical record. Vernacular terms for sedation are not sufficient documentation to describe the continuum of the depth of sedation.

According to ASA guidelines, progressing depth of sedation beyond minimal sedation is moderate or “conscious” sedation. Therefore, conscious sedation is defined as moderate sedation in the policy.