Question:
A patient had a right groin AV graft inserted for end stage renal disease. He returned to surgery an hour later for "right groin wound exploration" because of "post-op bleeding." How should we code the return procedure? Michigan Subscriber
Answer:
The appropriate surgical code is 35860 (
Exploration for postoperative hemorrhage, thrombosis or infection; extremity), which crosswalks to 01270 (
Anesthesia for procedures involving arteries of upper leg, including bypass graft; not otherwise specified).
Modifier watch:
Because you're reporting an anesthesiologist's services, the payer might not accept modifier 78 (
Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period) for the second procedure. Some payers will accept modifier 59 (
Distinct procedural service) with supporting documentation, but others (such as DSHS in Washington State) direct anesthesiologists to append modifier 99 (
Multiple modifiers) to indicate an additional operating procedure. Check with your payer before including a modifier with your claim.
-- Answers to You Be the Coder and Reader Questions were provided by Scott Groudine, MD, an Albany, N.Y., anesthesiologist; and Marvel J. Hammer, RN, CPC, CCS-P, ACS-PM, CHCO, owner of MJH Consulting in Denver.