Wiki Repeat Cholangiogram

[GSCoder07]

I have an unusual situation. The physician performed a cholecystectomy with a cholangiogram. He had to perform another cholangiogram during the same operative session due to a stone that was thought to be in the common bile duct. This was coded as 47563 and 47579 (unlisted laparoscopy procedure of the biliary tract). Is this correct? The insurance company is denying this stating a modifier -59 is needed. I didn't want to add the modifier until I was sure this was coded correctly in the first place. Can the cholangiogram even be billed since it was performed during the same operative session?
Any thoughts and ideas would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[hernpa]

I don't believe you can charge the procedure twice if it was done during the same episode because he is checking and rechecking for his own benefit. I would not use the unlisted code at all.

 

[GSCoder07]

Thank you for taking the time to reply, hernpa.