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General Surgery Coding Alert

Use Radiology, Injection and Excision Codes to Effectively Bill for Sentinel Node Biopsy
Because a sentinel node biopsy includes not only removal of a portion of the lymph node, b... Read more
Coding Case Stddy:
Billing for Liver Biopsy and Partial Colectomy
When billing for liver biopsies, coders must carefully read the operative report to bill c... Read more
Coding Dilemma:
Correct Billing for Reopening Laparotomy Can Increase Pay Up
Often, coders rely on the CPT index when billing for reopening a laparotomy. The index dir... Read more
Reader Question:
Initial and Recurrent Hernia Repair
Question: What is the correct coding of a bilateral hernia repair when the left side is an... Read more
Reader Question:
Hemicolectomy and Modifier -78
Question: An 83-year-old woman had a right hemicolectomy five weeks ago. She presented at ... Read more
Reader Question:
Placement of Bilateral Chest Tubes
Question: When treating a trauma patient with bilateral pneumotheraces (860.0), what is th... Read more
CPT 2000 Eliminates Laparoscopy/Hysteroscopy Section
CPT 2000, which was released last month, has eliminated the laparoscopy/hysteroscopy secti... Read more
Amount of Tissue Removal Determines Whether Partial Mastectomy Can Be Billed
The amount of tissue removednot the intent of the surgeon when the procedure beganis the k... Read more
Correct Billing for Lipoma Can Dramatically Boost Payment
  Latest on CPT, ICD-9 Codes for Lipoma Excision from Codify... Read more
Billing Comprehensive Lymph Node Excision With Biopsy
A general surgeon assists a colleague in a session involving lumpectomy and lymphadenectom... Read more
Reader Question:
How to Bill for Two Separate Colonoscopies
Question:, Our carrier has told us to file colonoscopy code 45384 (colonoscopy, with remov... Read more
Reader Question:
Starred I&D Procedure and E/M
Question: If I use procedure code 10060* (incision and drainage of abscess [e.g., carbuncl... Read more
Reader Question:
Billing for Telephone Calls
Question: Can you please give me some information on billing telephone calls 99371 (teleph... Read more
Reader Question:
ICD-9s Key to Payment for EGD and Colonoscopy
Question: A surgeon occasionally does EGD and colonoscopy at the same time on the same day... Read more
How to Bill Correctly for Hernia Repair
There are many different hernia repair procedures, and using the correct CPT and diagnosis... Read more
Medicare Clarification on Consultations Gets Mixed Reviews
General surgeons are often asked to share their expertise with an attending physician. How... Read more
Case Study:
Optimize Reimbursement When Assistant Surgeon Takes Over Management of Patient
"Global periods for major procedures apply only to the surgeon who performed the initial s... Read more
Reader Question:
Epidurogram Modifiers
Question: What is the appropriate way to code for the verification of the location of the ... Read more
More Than Brand Name Needed to Correctly Code for Insertion of Vascular Catheter for Venous Access
Scenario: A surgeon is asked to insert a Port-A-Cath for chemotherapy three weeks after a ... Read more
Modifier 59:
It's Not a Liscense to Unbunble, Could be a Red Flag for an Audit
The use of modifier -59 (distinct procedural service) can be a double-edged sword for gene... Read more
Proper Coding Means Avoiding Entanglements When Billing J-tubes and G-tubes
Following various abdominal procedures, patients often are malnourished and the general su... Read more
Using Correct Diagnosis Code Critical to Getting Paid with "For" Codes
A lot of attention is paid to in addition to codes and separate procedures, but there is a... Read more
Modifier 22 Recommended for Endoscopic Linton Procedure
Question: What is the proper coding for an endoscopic Lintons operation (subfascial ligati... Read more
Reader Question:
Same Physician, Same Day, Exam At One Site, Procedure at Another
Question: Our surgeon arranged to meet his patient, who had a foreign body stuck in his es... Read more
Get Paid for Postoperative Visits and Procedures During Global Periods
A lot of potential reimbursement is left on the operating table because many surgeons beli... Read more
Observation Codes Used Correctly Can Pay Off
Coders in general surgeons offices tend not to use observation codes very often. However... Read more
Physician Documentation is Critical When Coding Partial Colectomies
"There are several CPT codes for partial colectomy procedures, and selecting the right one... Read more
Reader Question:
Avoid Modifier -51 for multiple Endoscopies
Question: On a patient with anastomotic dehiscence, the surgeon performs a laparoscopic ri... Read more
Reader Question:
Supplies During Surgery Can't be Claimed
Question: Can you charge for admit, surgery and IV antibiotics when a patient returns to t... Read more
Reader Question:
Coding Stereotactic Breast Biopsies
Question: Ive received several answers on how to code the mammotomy and stereotactic breas... Read more
Alert:
HCFA Says CPT Code 49010 for Spinal Co-Surgery is Fraud
When a disk is herniated, the spine is curved and can be fixed either from the back or f... Read more
Document Time to Maximize Reimbursement for Counseling
Many general surgeons spend a lot of time counseling patients and/or their families. For e... Read more
How to Bill Medicare for Colonoscopy Screenings
HCFA pays for some colonoscopy screenings, but reimbursement is often difficult to obtain.... Read more
Reader Question:
Denial of Two Procedures Due to Unbundling
Question: Recently, one of our female patients was scheduled for a hemicolectomy. When the... Read more
Reader Question:
Infrequent Nerve Ligation
Question: A patient has a preoperative diagnosis of chronic pain from the left lower quadr... Read more
Reader Question:
Converting From Laparoscopic to Open Procedure
Question: The patient starts with a laparoscopic procedure for cholecystectomy, but after ... Read more
Available Years:  1999