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General Surgery Coding Alert

READER QUESTIONS:

Decompression Bundled to Colonoscopy Code

Published on Wed Apr 27, 2005

Question: A patient presented with a pseudo-obstruction in the colon. The surgeon placed a decompression tube via guidewire during a colonoscopy. Can we report separate codes for the colonoscopy and decompression tube placement?


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Answer: You should not report the colonoscopy and tube placement independently. On the claim, report only 45378 (Colonoscopy, flexible, proximal to splenic flexure; diagnostic, with or without collection of specimen[s] by brushing or washing, with or without colon decompression [separate procedure]) for the procedure. Code 45378 is the correct code for a diagnostic colonoscopy "with or without decompression," according to CPT's definition.
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