General Surgery Coding Alert
Questionnaire Helps You Choose The Appropriate Appendectomy Code
Questionnaire Helps You Choose The Appropriate Appendectomy Code 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? Q. 3: Was the appendectomy the only procedure performed during the session? Q. 4: Did the surgeon perform the procedure via open or laparoscopic approach? 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?
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.
Yes: Go on to question 3.
No: Do not report the appendectomy separately.
Yes: Go on to question 4.
No: Skip ahead to question 5.
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.
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.
General Surgery Coding Alert
- Don't Allow Missed Appendectomy Opportunities to Burst Your Reimbursement
A distinct Dx goes a long way in proving the separate -- and separately payable --nature [...] - Clip and Save:
Questionnaire Helps You Choose The Appropriate Appendectomy Code
Questionnaire Helps You Choose The Appropriate Appendectomy Code
To make your appendectomy coding even easier, use [...] - 'After-Hours' Rules Changed -- Have You Kept Pace?
Unscheduled visits could call for special coding, increased payment
When you offer services at nontraditional hours, [...] - After-Hours Service Codes Made Easy
Looking for a quick and easy way to understand all the changes to after-hours codes? [...] - You Be the Coder ~ Graft Site Preparation Always Separate?
Question: I notice that CPT 2006 added two new codes (15000 and 15001) for site [...] - Reader Question ~ Dermabond Coding Depends on Payer
Dermabond Coding Depends on Payer
Question: How can we code for using tissue adhesives, such as [...] - Reader Question ~ Break Down HPI for Maximum Efficiency
Break Down HPI for Maximum Efficiency Question: An internal chart audit of our E/M claims [...] - Reader Question ~ When to Report Biopsy Separately
When to Report Biopsy Separately
Question: We often perform sentinel node biopsy and, if the frozen [...] - Reader Question ~ Watch Bundling Issues With Sphincterotomy
Watch Bundling Issues With Sphincterotomy
Question: Is sphincterotomy included in hemorrhoidectomy?
New York Subscriber Answer: The National [...]
