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Gastroenterology Coding Alert

Reader Questions :

These 2 Colonoscopy Codes Aren't Bundled

Published on Fri Feb 22, 2008

Question: Can I report CPT 45380 and 44388 together?Minnesota SubscriberAnswer: Yes, if your physician had to perform two procedures to view the entire colon -- say, due to an obstruction -- you can code both 45380 (Colonoscopy, flexible, proximal to splenic flexure; with biopsy, single or multiple) and 44388 (Colonoscopy through stoma; diagnostic, with or without collection of specimen[s] by brushing or washing [separate procedure]). The Correct Coding Initiative doesn't bundle these codes, and the "separate procedure" reference in 44388 refers to other codes with the same parent -- in other words, other colonoscopies performed through a stoma.
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