Gastroenterology Coding Alert

Question: Operative notes indicate that our gastroenterologist performed a colonoscopy through a created stoma; Is there a specific CPT code I should use for this procedure? Iowa Subscriber Answer: Actually, there are several codes to choose from when the gastroenterologist performs a colonoscopy via artificial stoma. Go back and check the notes to see if the gastroenterologist performed a biopsy, took out a foreign body, or removed a lesion with a specific technique during the colonoscopy. You should also find out whether the stoma was a colostomy (which opens into the colon) or ileostomy (which opens into the small intestine). Example: Notes indicate a colonoscopy via colostomy; there is no mention of biopsy or lesion removal. Report 44388 (Colonoscopy through stoma; diagnostic, with or without collection of specimen[s] by brushing or washing [separate procedure]) for the encounter. Review the definitions of CPT codes 44380 through 44394 to familiarize yourself with [...]