General Surgery Coding Alert

Correction:

BundledJejunostomy and Mesh Removal

The February 2003 General Surgery Coding Alert ("Watch for Bundled Jejunostomy") should have stated that +44015 (Tube or needle catheter jejunostomy for enteral alimentation, intraoperative, any method [list separately in addition to primary procedure]) is not bundled to the Whipple procedure. The pancreato-jejunostomy referred to in the Whipple procedure descriptor describes anastomosis of the pancreatic ducts to the jejunum, not placement of a feeding tube as indicated by 44015. Therefore, you may report 44015 separately with 48150-48154 (Pancreatectomy ...).

Additionally, the April 2003 "You Be the Coder" ("Is 49085 Correct for Mesh Removal?") should have recommended 20525* (Removal of foreign body in muscle or tendon sheath; deep or complicated) as the correct code for deep mesh removal.

 

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