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Old 03-02-2010, 11:18 AM
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LTibbetts LTibbetts is offline
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I have a pt that was here to have greenlight laster evaporation treatment of the prostate. I have coded the 52648 but before this procedure was done, a bladder tumor was seen on radiography so a cystoscopic exam was done and it showed the superficial bladder tumor. A biopsy was obtained and then following that, greenlight laser treatment was applied and the tumor was evaporated. Then after that, the evaporation of the prostate commenced. Can I capture the tumor evaporation or not? I know that the cystoscopy is bundled with the laser surgery but I wasn't sure if this tumor ablation could also be captured. I can't help thinking that I can only code the 52648 since the same instrument was used for both procedures. Any input?
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Old 03-02-2010, 01:54 PM
cgallimore cgallimore is offline
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In my opinion, if your provider documented the biopsy and vaporization of the bladder tumor separately from the greenlight laser vaporization of the prostate, you should be able to bill it with a 59 modifier. It was in two different locations and was a separately identifiable procedure. Any thoughts from others?
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