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Gastroenterology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Understand Different Methods of Reporting Esophageal Dilation

Published on Thu Apr 05, 2012

Question: Our gastroenterologist performed a dilation of the esophagus over a guidewire. How do you report this procedure?New Jersey SubscriberAnswer: Sometimes your gastroenterologist might need a guidewire for performing a dilation of the esophagus. A situation that warrants it might include a tight stricture that your gastroenterologist might not be able to pass through with an endoscope. In such a scenario, the extent to which your gastroenterologist is passing the endoscope might help you determine the right procedural code.If your gastroenterologist is performing a guidewire insertion and dilation of the esophagus to only examine the esophagus, then you have to report the procedure with 43226 (Esophagoscopy, rigid or flexible; with insertion of guide wire followed by dilation over guide wire). But if your gastroenterologist is performing the guidewire dilation of the esophagus to examine the esophagus, stomach and either the duodenum and/ or jejunum, then you need to report the [...]
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