General Surgery Coding Alert

Don't miss CPT 2010 'either/or' instruction for hemorrhoid location.You can't choose a hemorrhoidectomy code if you don't know the distinction between internal and external hemorrhoids. Let our experts guide you through the anatomy and coding maze to help you choose the proper code.Location Should Guide You"External hemorrhoids occur outside the 'anal verge,' which is at the distal end of the anal canal," explains Marcella Bucknam, CPC, CCS-P, CPC-H, CCS, CPCP, COBGC, CCC, manager of compliance education for the University of Washington Physicians Compliance Program.Conversely, "internal hemorrhoids are proximal to the anal verge and can be much more difficult to diagnose and treat," she continues.Vital to identifying different hemorrhoid types is the dentate line.The line is a mucocutaneous junction about a centimeter above the anal verge, and "can be seen separating the anus from the rectum," explains Suzan Berman, CPC, CEMC, CEDC, senior manager of coding and compliance in the surgery [...]