Gastroenterology Coding Alert

Question: The gastroenterologist performs a biopsy with sigmoidoscopy followed by an endoscopic removal of a foreign body. Which codes should I report for these procedures?

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Answer: In this case, neither scope is the base or parent procedure. Therefore, you would report both 45331 (Sigmoidoscopy, flexible; with biopsy, single or multiple) and 45332 (... with removal of foreign body).

Bottom line: If your gastroenterologist performs two scopes in the same family, neither of which is the base procedure, you may report both codes.