Gastroenterology Coding Alert
Don't Let Lingo Trip You on Occult Tests
Question: I've got a puzzling encounter form in front of me. The operative notes indicate the gastroenterologist performed "assays for the determination of peroxidase activity in hemoglobin." Any ideas on which CPT code I should use for this procedure? Further, what are some acceptable diagnoses for this test? Answer: The procedure the gastroenterologist describes in the notes is a guaiac occult blood test. A physician may use the test to detect trace amounts of blood in the stool, and the guaiac test is also critical to determining the presence of Crohn's disease, tumors, tuberculosis and ulcerative colitis. Good ideas: When reporting 82270, make sure you attach the appropriate ICD-9 code on the claim. Also, wait until your office gets the test slides back before reporting the blood test.
New Mexico Subscriber
Code it this way: When your gastro performs a guaiac occult blood test, you should report 82270 (Blood, occult, by peroxidase activity [e.g., guaiac], qualitative; feces, 1-3 simultaneous determinations).
Justify it this way: The guaiac test is medically necessary for a variety of symptoms, including:
Gastroenterology Coding Alert
- Multiple EGDs? Don't Overlook Your 43239 Billing Opportunities
Reviewed on May 13, 2015 Modifier -59 may not be part of every multi-EGD claim [...] - You Be the Coder:
Brush Up on Screening Colonoscopy Payer Rules?
Question: If a patient with a commercial insurer has a screening colonoscopy, I should report [...] - Modifiers -52, -53 May Be the Ticket for an Unfinished EGD
Opt for -53 if procedure is stopped for safety If your gastroenterologist has to put [...] - Don't Fret Over Setting When Coding Critical Care
Focus your attention on time, documentation requirements A gastroenterologist can provide critical care just about [...] - Reader Questions:
Observe '3-Year Rule' for Patient Status - Reader Questions:
Mark India Ink on Claim With 45381
Question: While the gastroenterologist was performing a colonoscopy on a patient, he noticed a lesion [...] - Reader Questions:
Don't Let Lingo Trip You on Occult Tests
Question: I've got a puzzling encounter form in front of me. The operative notes indicate [...] - Reader Questions:
Scope Type Affects Endoscopy Coding
Question: Last week, a patient presented with diarrhea and anemia. The gastroenterologist performed an endoscopy [...] - Reader Questions:
Be Ready for External Hemorrhoid Coding
Question: I just learned that gastroenterologists sometimes treat external hemorrhoids as well as internal ones. [...]
