You Be the Coder:
Beware Lap to Open Conversions
Published on Mon Jan 14, 2013
Question: I’m reviewing a coder’s work for a surgery case for a ventral hernia (reducible) lap repair converted to open, requiring mesh implantation. The coder is listing 49565, 49568 and 49656-74. Is this correct?
Washington Subscriber Answer: When a surgeon converts a laparoscopic procedure to open, you should code only the open procedure. Your coder claims the [...]