Advanced Search

Gastroenterology Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Rely on the Result, Not the Procedure

Published on Thu Jun 01, 2006

Question: A Medicare patient came in for a screening. The physician performed a cold biopsy on the transverse colon, and it appeared to be a polyp. Our pathologist indicated it was fecal matter. What diagnosis should I use?

Texas Subscriber Answer: You should use 45380 (Colonoscopy ... with biopsy, single or multiple). Because you bill before the pathology results get back from the lab, you don't need to bother checking what the results are. You should rely on what the physician did rather than what the lab results indicated.
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