Advanced Search

Gastroenterology Coding Alert

READER QUESTIONS:

Sounds Like 2 Procedures, but Use Just 1 Code

Published on Mon Mar 23, 2009

Question: My physician's note says "EGD with removal of a dysfunctional PEG tube and placement of a 20 French U.S. endoscopy PEG tube." How should I code these? Rhode Island Subscriber Answer: The correct code is 43246 (Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy including esophagus, stomach, and either the duodenum and/or jejunum as appropriate; with directed placement of percutaneous gastrostomy tube). Your gastroenterologist is replacing a feeding tube that runs through the patient's skin straight into the stomach.The removal of the old percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube is incidental to its replacement, so you just need one code.
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