Gastroenterology Coding Alert

Question: While performing EGD, the provider found multiple 2 to 7 mm NON bleeding angioectasias in the cardia and the gastric body, and successfully performed coagulation for tissue destruction using Argon Plasma on two of the larger lesions. Which CPT^® code should I report here?

Mississippi Subscriber

Answer: The documentation refers to ablation of lesion, so the correct code for this procedure is 43270 (Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, flexible, transoral; with ablation of tumor[s], polyp[s], or other lesion[s] [includes pre- and post-dilation and guide wire passage, when performed]).

Remember: As described in the code description you may not report 43270 in conjunction with 43248 (Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, flexible, transoral; with insertion of guide wire followed by passage of dilator[s] through esophagus over guide wire) or 43249 (Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, flexible, transoral; with transendoscopic balloon dilation of esophagus [less than 30 mm diameter]) for the same lesion.