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General Surgery Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Choose Specific Colonoscopy Stoma Code

Published on Fri Feb 26, 2010

Question: Operative notes indicate that the surgeon performed a colonoscopy through a created stoma. Is there a specific CPT code that I should use for this particular procedure? Illinois Subscriber Answer: You have several codes to choose from when the surgeon performs a colonoscopy via artificial stoma. Go back to the op note to get some supporting details to help you select the proper code. For instance, did the surgeon perform a biopsy, take out a foreign body, or remove a lesion with a specific technique during the colonoscopy? You should also find out whether the stoma was a colostomy (which opens into the colon) or ileostomy (which opens into the small intestine). Example: The operative note indicates a colonoscopy via colostomy with no mention of biopsy or lesion removal. In that case, report 44388 (Colonoscopy through stoma; diagnostic, with or without collection of specimen[s] by brushing or washing [separate [...]
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