Colon resection for tumor

[nellcoe]

Patient has a primary liver ca. Recently a resection of colon was submitted with metastatic implants. My ideal cpt code is 88309 - Colon resection for tumor. Our pathologist insist on 88307, reasoning the tumor is not primary. I say neoplasm is neoplasm, if we are resecting looking for tumor the correct code is 88309. Am I wrong???

[Sarithayreddy]

Hi Nellcoe, You are correct with deciding the level as 88309 in this case.

Following are my observations:

Colon here has a metastatic implants which is nothing but a secondary malignant tumor. the colon resection for tumor(any kind) is always level 88309.

Thanks,
Saritha

[whaleheadking]

It's good to read these CPT descriptors literally. This colon was submitted for tumor, whether primary or secondary, whether malignant or benign, whether tumor is found or not, really, as long as it is submitted FOR tumor.