Urology Coding Alert

Question: The surgeon completed a laparoscopic adrenalectomy and also completed a resection of peritoneal and omental tumor implants during the same session. Would these additional procedures be included in the adrenalectomy code? If not, what other codes can we include on the claim?

North Carolina Subscriber

Answer: Yes, you can submit a separate code for the resection of the peritoneal and omental tumor implants. Submit 49329 (Unlisted laparoscopy procedure, abdomen, peritoneum and omentum) for that portion of the surgery and 60650 (Laparoscopy, surgical, with adrenalectomy, partial or complete, or exploration of adrenal gland with or without biopsy, transabdominal, lumbar or dorsal) for the laparoscopic adrenalectomy.

Because 49329 is an "unlisted" code, be sure to include thorough documentation of your surgeon's work supporting the code.