General Surgery Coding Alert
Don't Report Open and Laparoscopic Codes Together
Question: If CPT does not contain a code for a specific laparoscopic procedure, how should we code? Can we report a diagnostic laparoscopic code and the open code? Answer: You should use only one code to describe a laparoscopic procedure, and you should never report open and laparoscopic codes for the same procedure. If CPT does not contain a specific code to describe the laparoscopic procedure your surgeon conducted, look for the appropriate "unlisted" laparoscopic code for the body site. For example, for a ventral hernia repaired laparoscopically, report 49659, (Unlisted laparoscopy procedure, hernioplasty, herniorrhaphy, herniotomy). Be sure to include full documentation describing the procedure and include a cover letter suggesting a fee based on a procedure requiring similar physician effort, patient recovery, etc.
Tennessee Subscriber
General Surgery Coding Alert
- 2 Questions to Ask Yourself When Reporting Postoperative Infections
If you're treating Medicare and private-payer claims the same, you could forfeit $80 or more [...] - Use Our Flow Chart to Simplify Your Post-Op Infection Coding
When surgeons treat postoperative infections during global periods, you should ask the following questions to [...] - 4 Pointers Make 'Add-On' Codes Easy
Don't accept payment reductions, or you could lose up to 50% on every claim
When you [...] - Correction:
Screening Colonoscopy Diagnoses
A reader question of the April 2004 General Surgery Coding Alert ("Diagnosis Matters for Screening [...] - You Be The Coder:
Report 46924 Only Once per Session
Question: When reporting destruction of lesions on the anus, may I code 46924 for each [...] - 3 Steps for Co-Surgery Can Mean the Difference Between 62.5% Payment and Nothing
Successful claims require modifier -62 and physician-to-physician cooperation
When reporting co-surgeries, you should make sure [...] - Here's How to Avoid the Modifier -62/Modifier -80 Mix-Up
When trying to decide between modifiers -62 and -80, the most important question to ask [...] - Reader Question:
Don't Assume 'Benign' or 'Malignant'
Question: Our surgeon frequently works with diabetic and stroke patients, and I understand the need [...] - Reader Question:
Rely on Outpatient Codes for ED Visits
Question: Our surgeon was recently on-call for the emergency department (ED). The ED physician asked [...] - Reader Question:
Don't Report Open and Laparoscopic Codes Together
Question: If CPT does not contain a code for a specific laparoscopic procedure, how should [...] - Reader Question:
Parastomal Repair Code Depends on Stoma Revision
Question: Which code is appropriate to report parastomal hernia repair?
California Subscriber Answer: If the surgeon [...]
