Gastroenterology Coding Alert

Question: A 68-year-old established patient reports to the gastroenterologist complaining of rectal bleeding and occasional dark stool. After a level-two E/M, the gastroenterologist performs the fecal occult blood test (FOBT) and notes some bleeding in the rectum. He  schedules the patient for a diagnostic colonoscopy in three weeks and sends him home. What codes can I report for this encounter?Idaho SubscriberAnswer: You should report 82272 (Blood, occult, by peroxidase activity (eg, guaiac), qualitative, feces, 1-3 simultaneous determinations, performed for other than colorectal neoplasm screen) for the FOBT. Append 569.3 (Other disorders of intestine; hemorrhage of rectum and anus) to 82272 to represent the patient's rectal bleeding. You should also append 792.1 (Nonspecific abnormal findings in other body substances; stool contents) to 82272 to represent the patient's dark stool.Don't miss: You can also report the appropriate E/M service code, such as 99212 (Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and [...]