Wiki Need help please with GI coding!

[1formissy]

There seems to be some discrepency in what I am telling this practice vs what a "GI coding lady" is telling them on the phone.
I have always practiced that whenever you are reporting a CPT code in conjunction with another CPT code, and it hits an NCCI edit, you would always use the unbundling modifier on the SECOND procedure.
Now, after all this time, I am told, I am wrong. You would put a 59 modifier on the primary procedure code, if the primary code is bundled into the secondary code. I really need to connect with someone who is a specialist in the GI coding, and I need to be directed to definitive resources as to the correct coding of common GI procedures.
Thank you in advance!
My email is reflection15@comcast.net

 

[kandieverett]

GI Coding CCI edit

It's not a matter of First and Second procedures. The modifier would go on the procedure that is bundled. If you have AAPC Coder, you can use the CCI Edit Checker and it will tell you which code requires a modifier. Hope this helps.