Anesthesia Coding Alert
You Be the Coder:
Ureter Location Dictates Lithotripsy Code
Published on Wed Apr 06, 2011
Question: Which anesthesia code should we use for lithotripsy or laser of ureteral calculus? Alabama Subscriber Answer: You'll need to read the surgeon's operative report to determine whether there is a mention of the kidney or "upper one third of ureter." If so, you should code with 00862 (Anesthesia for extraperitoneal procedures in lower abdomen, including urinary tract; renal procedures, including upper one-third of ureter, or donor nephrectomy). If the report doesn't mention specific areas of the ureter, code 00918 (Anesthesia for transurethral procedures [including urethrocystoscopy]; with ragmentation, manipulation and/or removal of ureterao calculus) instead.
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