EM Coding Alert
Reader Question:
Reach for This E/M in G-tube Removal
Published on Wed Dec 21, 2022
Question: How is the removal of a patient’s gastrostomy tube (G-tube) in an office setting reported if the G-tube was previously placed by another physician and no new one was placed? AAPC Forum Participant Answer: Similar to when the physician clears a clogged tube at bedside (without fluoroscopy) and doesn’t replace it, you won’t find a procedure code specifically for G-tube removal without replacement. You’ll simply report the evaluation and management (E/M) service (99202-99215) level that’s appropriate to the medical decision making (MDM) criteria or time spent.
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