Advanced Search

Gastroenterology Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

43235- 43259: Location and Treatment Method on Documentation Matters

Published on Tue Sep 21, 2010

Question: I'm preparing a documentation checklist for endoscopy. What information should I include?California Subscriber Answer: Here are the things you should remember when coding for gastrointestinal endoscopy (43235- 43259):You should describe multiple polyps and lesions by indicating the location and treatment method for each one.You must provide pre-op and post-op diagnosis, or use the pre-op diagnosis twice if there were no findings.If the patient has anemia (285.9, Anemia, unspecified), you should document a more specific anemia diagnosis since some payers won't accept the "unspecified" code to support colonoscopy or EGD. If family history of colorectal cancer triggered a colonoscopy, you should document which family member or members (sibling, parent, or child).
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in your eNewsletter
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs*
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more
*CEUs available with select eNewsletters.

Other Articles in this issue of

Gastroenterology Coding Alert

View All