General Surgery Coding Alert

Question: How should I code laparoscopic Meckel's diverticulectomy? Should I use 44238 or 44899 or some other code?

Ohio Subscriber

Answer: The best selection for laparoscopically removing Meckel's diverticulum is 44899 (Unlisted procedure, Meckel's diverticulum and the mesentery).

Here's why: CPT arranges the codes in the digestive system chapter by organ or structure, so coding the unlisted procedure from the Meckel's diverticulum and mesentery section makes the most sense.

Although you could make an argument for using the unlisted laparoscopy code (44238, Unlisted laparoscopy procedure, intestine [except rectum]), this probably isn't the best choice.Meckel's isn't really an intestinal structure but rather a congenital defect, although it's certainly associated with the intestines.

That said, both 44238 and 44899 are unlisted codes and will require a report defining the actual procedure, so the code choice probably doesn't matter.

Bottom line: If you have a payer who specifies something else, you should follow payer instruction. Otherwise, stick with 44899 for this scenario.