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Questionnaire Helps You Choose The Appropriate Appendectomy Code
Published on Thu Oct 05, 2006
Questionnaire Helps You Choose The Appropriate Appendectomy Code
To make your appendectomy coding even easier, use this simple question-and-answer form.
Q. 1: Was the appendix ruptured, with evidence of abscess or peritonitis?
Note: If the appendix has burst, there is always evidence of peritonitis, even if it is not specifically separately described. Inherently, the burst appendix has dumped inflammatory material into the peritoneum. The only exception would be traumatic damage.
Yes: Report 44960 (Appendectomy; for ruptured appendix with abscess or generalized peritonitis).
No: Go on to question 2. Q. 2: Does the medical record document a separate diagnosis of appendicitis (540-543) or other signs and symptoms to support medical necessity for appendix removal?
Yes: Go on to question 3.
No: Do not report the appendectomy separately. Q. 3: Was the appendectomy the only procedure performed during the session?
Yes: Go on to question 4.
No: Skip ahead to question 5.
Q. 4: Did the surgeon perform the procedure via open or laparoscopic approach?
Open: Report 44950 (Appendectomy).
Laparoscopic: Report 44970 (Laparoscopy, surgical, appendectomy).
Q. 5: Did the appendectomy occur during the same session as a colectomy (44139-44160 or 44204-44213)?
Yes: Do not report the appendectomy separately.
No: Go on to question 6. Q. 6: Does the medical record document a separate diagnosis of appendicitis (540-543) or other signs and symptoms to support medical necessity for removal of the appendix?
Yes: Report +44955 (Appendectomy; when done for indicated purpose at time of other major procedure [not as separate procedure] [list separately in addition to code for primary procedure]).
No: Do not report the appendectomy separately.