General Surgery Coding Alert
What's the Code for Lap Catheter Placement?
Oregon Subscriber
Answer: Unfortunately, you won't find a code for laparoscopic catheter placement of this type--at least in part because this is an unusual method to place such a catheter. Therefore, you-ll have to go with unlisted- procedure code 49329 (Unlisted laparoscopy procedure, abdomen, peritoneum and omentum).
Filing unlisted-procedure codes always means a bit more work for the coder: You-ll have to include documentation describing the procedure so that the insurer can make a payment determination. One effective method is to compare the procedure you are billing to another procedure that requires similar effort, resources, and the like.
Remember: You should compare an unlisted procedure to a listed procedure, but you should never report a listed code because you think it's -close enough- to the procedure you want to report.
For instance, if the surgeon were to place the catheter by open (rather than laparoscopic) method, you would report either 49420 (Insertion of intraperitoneal cannula or catheter for drainage or dialysis; temporary) or 49421 (-permanent). When reporting 49329, you can explain that the surgeon performed the same procedure described by 49420 (or 49421), but by less-invasive laparoscopic method.
General Surgery Coding Alert
- CPT 2006 Shows More Skin--and New Technologies Will Benefit
You-ll have to differentiate between layers of skin when applying graft codes Skin graft technology [...] - You Should Separately Report Site Preparation With Burn Repairs
Prior to applying a skin (or skin replacement) graft, the surgeon will normally prepare the [...] - News That Matters:
Medicare Set to Expand Bariatric Surgery Coverage
Your practice can have a say during the comment period A recent memo issued by [...] - Want the Facts on Conscious Sedation? Get Them Here
Be sure to bundle CS to all procedures in Appendix G CPT 2006 includes a [...] - CS:
Don't Expect Medicare to Change Its Ways
In years past, Medicare considered conscious sedation procedures 99141-99142 bundled services in all cases, and [...] - You Be the Coder:
What's the Code for Lap Catheter Placement?
Question: How can we report placement of a laparoscopic Tenckhoff dialysis catheter?
Oregon Subscriber
Answer: Unfortunately, you [...] - Wake Up and Learn Your New CS Codes
You-ll have to document patient age and procedure time Revisions in CPT 2006 mean you [...] - Reader Questions:
Extra Cleaning Earns Intermediate Repair
Question: Our surgeon removed extensive debris from a wound that then required a single-layer closure. [...] - Reader Questions:
Look to Lesion Excision for Mole Removal
Question: What is the appropriate code for -removal of mole-? I-ve searched the entire CPT [...] - Correction:
Separate Unna Boot, Debridement Must Occur on Different Legs
You can report debridement (for example, 11040, Debridement; skin, partial thickness) during the same session [...] - Reader Questions:
Argon Plasma = Control of Bleeding
Question: Our surgeon performed an EGD with Argon plasma coagulation for control of bleeding. What's [...] - Reader Questions:
Count Readmission as Separate Service
Question: The surgeon discharges a patient and readmits him to the same hospital the next [...]
