Gastroenterology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Note That Tube Removals Don't Signify the Level of E/M Codes

Question: Our gastroenterologist performed EGD on a patient on one day and colonoscopy along with PEG tube removal on the following day. I reported 43235 for the EGD and 45378 for the colonoscopy. However I am not too sure about how to code the removal of the PEG tube. I know that there is no removal code and it is usually included in the E/M codes. Wisconsin Subscriber Answer: You are right in reporting 43235 (Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy including esophagus, stomach, and either the duodenum and/or jejunum as appropriate; diagnostic, with or without collection of specimen[s] by brushing or washing [separate procedure]) for the upper esophagealgastroduodenoscopy (EGD) procedure that your gastroenterologist performed and 45378 (Colonoscopy, flexible, proximal to splenic flexure; diagnostic, with or without collection of specimen[s] by brushing or washing, with or without colon decompression [separate procedure]) for the colonoscopy performed on the following day. As you have correctly [...]
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