Wiki Poor Prep

[lindam@caricures.com]

Sorry if this has been asked and answered - but how do you handle repeat screening colonoscopies due to a poor prep. If doctor doesn't reach the cecum I use modifier 53. But if they do reach the cecum, Patient at average risk - so normally they wouldn't be able to have another colonoscopy for 10 years, but since it really wasn't a good exam, how do you handle it?

 

[cridgdill@gmail.com]

Even if they do reach the cecum if the prep is poor I still code it as a limited with a 53 modifier and a note on the claim line 19 box that states how far the scope reached such as "Cecum reached but poor prep prevented adequate view of mucosa".