Advanced Search

Gastroenterology Coding Alert

READER QUESTIONS:

EGD With Endo Clip: The Code That Wasn't There

Published on Sat Feb 05, 2005

Question: I'm stumped. The operative notes for this encounter indicate that my gastroenterologist saw a patient vomiting blood. The gastro used a heater probe during an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and placed two endoscopic clips. How should I report this encounter?


Alaska Subscriber


Answer: Since no code now exists for the placement of endoscopic clips, you should use a control-of-bleeding EGD code. On the claim:
   report 43255 (Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy including esophagus, stomach, and either the duodenum and/or jejunum as appropriate; with control of bleeding, any method) for the EGD.
   attach ICD-9 code 578.0 (Hematemesis) to 43255. Clinical and coding expertise for this issue provided by Michael Weinstein, MD, a gastroenterologist in Washington, D.C., and former member of the CPT advisory panel; and Linda Parks, MA, CPC, CCP, independent coding and billing consultant in Marietta, Ga.
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in your eNewsletter
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs*
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more
*CEUs available with select eNewsletters.

Other Articles in this issue of

Gastroenterology Coding Alert

View All