Reporting Appendix Procedures
- By Angela Clements
- In Billing
- August 17, 2016
- 1 Comment
Incision and drainage of an appendiceal abscess through an open incision is coded 44900. CPT’s parenthetical note tells us to use 49406 Image-guided fluid collection drainage by catheter (eg, abscess, hematoma, seroma, lymphocele, cyst); peritoneal or retroperitoneal, percutaneous for a percutaneous image-guided drainage by catheter of an appendiceal abscess.
Reported as an Open Approach
An appendectomy performed through an open approach is coded 44950 Appendectomy. Read the operative note carefully because if the appendix is ruptured with an abscess or generalized peritonitis, you will want to choose 44960 Appendectomy; for ruptured appendix with abscess or generalized peritonitis.
Reported as an Add-on Code
If an appendectomy is performed using an open approach for an indicated purpose at the time of a major procedure, report add-on code +44955 Appendectomy; when done for indicated purpose at the time of other major procedure (not as separate procedure).
Reported as a Lap Approach
When it comes to a laparoscopic approach, there are only two codes to choose from. The first is 44970 Laparoscopic, surgical, appendectomy. The second is the most dreaded code for a physician who gets paid based on RVUs, 44979 Unlisted laparoscopy procedure, appendix.
Angela Clements
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Does 44970 need a authorization with patient was brought into hospital as an emergency setting/observation.