General Surgery Coding Alert
Bundle Hernia Repair
Question: Our surgeon performed a laparoscopic liver biopsy, and during closure, the surgeon documented repairing an existing incisional hernia. Should we code both procedures? Texas Subscriber Answer: You should report the laparoscopic liver biopsy using an unlisted code, because CPT® does not provide a specific code for that procedure. Use 47379 (Unlisted laparoscopic procedure, liver). When incisional hernia repair is done during another laparoscopic surgery and is “incidental,” you should not report a separate code for that work, according to CPT® guidelines. In this case, you should not bill 49654 (Laparoscopy, surgical, repair, incisional hernia (includes mesh insertion, when performed); reducible) in addition to 47379.
General Surgery Coding Alert
- ICD-10-CM:
Hasten Your COVID-19 Dx Coding Know-How
Distinguish suspected versus positive cases. Because your surgeons may encounter and treat patients with COVID-19 [...] - Diagnosis:
Put 'Signs and Symptoms' Coding in its Place
Overcome four falsehoods that hamper your reporting. When you face a case report with no [...] - CERT Report:
Highlight General Surgery 'Improper Payments'
E/M leads coding trouble spots. Even if your surgeons strive for excellent documentation and your [...] - You Be the Coder:
Distinguish LEEP Procedures
Question: Our surgeon performed a colposcopy and used a loop electrocautery excision of cervical tissue. [...] - Reader Question:
Exercise Caution When Changing Documentation
Question: When we see that documentation doesn’t match a code choice, we usually go back to [...] - Reader Question:
Don't Miss Common Duct Exploration
Question: The op note for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy documents visualizing the cystic and common bile [...] - Reader Question:
Bundle Hernia Repair
Question: Our surgeon performed a laparoscopic liver biopsy, and during closure, the surgeon documented repairing [...]
