Wiki CPT description

[eccm7862]

If a CPT does not have an approach/description listed such as open or laparoscopic, can it be used for either? For example, 49329 (Unlisted laparoscopy, abdomen, peritoneum and omentum) is being billed for omental flap that was done laparoscopic but feel that 49904-49906 could probably be used for the procedure but no approach it listed.

 

[thomas7331]

If the CPT description doesn't state that it's laparoscopic, then it can't be used to report a laparoscopic procedure, so 49904-49906 wouldn't be appropriate here is the procedure you're coding was done entirely laparoscopically. You can assume that if it doesn't state 'laparoscopic', then it's an open procedure.

I've seen cases where a physician will do a 'laparoscopically assisted' procedure, in which a portion is done laparoscopically but where it also involves and open procedure as well. In that case, you could use the open procedure codes since it's the equivalent of a procedure that was converted from laparoscopic to open.