Gastroenterology Coding Alert
Billing Photo Documentation? Not So Fast
Question: My provider is billing an EGD. He states in his op report he states that he obtained photo documentation. Can we bill for this procedure? New Jersey Subscriber Answer: No. You just have to bill the appropriate EGD procedure, for instance 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]). If your physician took any pictures, consider it just part of the diagnostic procedure. The same is true with many supplies and services considered integral to a surgical procedure: cleansing, shaving, and prepping of skin draping of patient, positioning of patient insertion of intravenous access for medication sedative administration by the physician performing the procedure local, topical or regional anesthetic administered by the physician performing the procedure surgical approach, including identification of anatomical landmarks, incision, evaluation of the surgical field, lysis of simple adhesions, isolation of neurovascular, muscular (including stimulation for identification), bony or other structures limiting access to the surgical field preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative documentation, including photographs, drawings, dictation, transcription surgical supplies, unless excepted by policy.
Gastroenterology Coding Alert
- Tube Placement:
Get on the Fast Track to Tube Changes Claim Success by Zeroing in These Key Terms
Find out what codes include fluoroscopic guidance.When your gastroenterologist deals with any of several types [...] - Colonoscopy:
Fit Your Colonoscopy Exam Coding According to Diagnosis
G-codes are handy if the screening doesn't turn diagnostic. You know the deal: If your [...] - Modifiers:
Examine the Circumstance Before Using Modifier 52, 53
Anesthesia plays a role, too!When your gastroenterologist ends a procedure early, it automatically tells you [...] - You Be the Coder:
Prepare To Report 43247 When Peeking Into Upper GI Tract
Question:I'm not sure if the physician did an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) by removing several FBs from [...] - Reader Questions:
Put Colonoscopy Dx in the Right Order
Question:A patient comes in for screening colonoscopy that turns therapeutic. Could you clarify the diagnosis [...] - Reader Questions:
Mark Off Similar Proctosigmoidoscopy Codes
Question:A patient underwent formalin chemical fulguration of rectal mucosa with rigid sigmoidoscopy for radiation proctitis [...] - Reader Questions:
Exchange Feeding Tubes, and Get Paid with 44372
Question:I need help with the CPT for the removal and replacement of a clogged transgastric [...] - Reader Questions:
Billing Photo Documentation? Not So Fast
Question:My provider is billing an EGD. He states in his op report he states that [...] - Reader Questions:
Screening of Diagnostic? Choose the Appropriate FOBT
Question:The gastroenterologist in my practice orders fecal occult blood test (FOBT) for a patient who [...]
