General Surgery Coding Alert
Don't Miss Common Duct Exploration
Question: The op note for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy documents visualizing the cystic and common bile duct for gallstones. How should we report this? Tennessee Subscriber Answer: The best code for the service you describe is 47564 (Laparoscopy, surgical; cholecystectomy with exploration of common duct). If the surgeon failed to note the additional work of exploring the common bile duct, you would be left to report 47562 (Laparoscopy, surgical; cholecystectomy). Value: Choosing the code that reflects the additional work is critical in this case. The Medicare Physician Fee Schedule national facility amount is $692.56 for 47562, but $1,172.19 for 47564 (conversion factor 36.0896). Missing the documentation for exploration of the common duct would cost you $479.63.
General Surgery Coding Alert
- ICD-10-CM:
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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 [...]
