Wiki Colonoscopy w/Polypectomy and India Ink

[KScheerer]

PLEASE HELP!

CPT codes 45385 and 45381 are not bundled per NCCI edits. However, if a physician removes a polyp and tattoos the same lesion during the same operative session wouldn't that be considered inclusive of one another?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Kelly Scheerer, CPC

 

[Lisa Bledsoe]

According to the CPT Assistant article from January 2004, 45381 can be reported as an additional service. Report 45381 with modifier -51.
Lisa

 

[scorrado]

The 45381 is not included and when I bill it I bill it with a -59 modifier. I have not had any issues getting it paid but I can also see how -51 would work also because it is not one of the procedures that is marked as -51 exempt.

 

[russmam]

tattoo

CCI does not require a modifier on the tattoo