READER QUESTIONS:
Ultrasound Endoscopy Has Its Own Codes
Published on Fri Jan 27, 2006
Question: What is EUS and how should I code for it?
Ohio Subscriber
Answer: EUS is an abbreviation for endoscopic ultrasound, which physicians generally use during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.
CPT contains four codes for EUS, according to location (esophagus, or stomach and small intestine) and whether the physician takes a biopsy:
- 43237--Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy including esophagus, stomach, and either the duodenum and/or jejunum as appropriate; with endoscopic ultrasound examination limited to the esophagus for EUS without biopsy
- 43238--... with transendoscopic ultrasound-guided intramural or transmural fine needle aspiration/biopsy(s), esophagus (includes endoscopic ultrasound examination limited to the esophagus) for EUS- guided biopsy
- 43242--Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy including esophagus, stomach, and either the duodenum and/or jejunum as appropriate; with transendoscopic ultrasound-guided intramural or transmural fine needle aspiration/biopsy(s) (includes endoscopic ultrasound examination of the esophagus, stomach, and either the duodenum and/or jejunum as appropriate) for EUS-guided biopsy
- 43259--... with endoscopic ultrasound examination, including the esophagus, stomach, and either the duodenum and/or jejunum as appropriate for EUS without biopsy. --Clinical and coding expertise for You Be the Coder and Reader Questions provided by Michael Weinstein, MD, a gastroenterologist in Washington, D.C., and a former member of the CPT advisory panel; and Linda Parks, MA, CPC, CMC, CMSCS, an independent coding consultant in Lawrenceville, Ga.
