General Surgery Coding Alert

You Be the Coder:

Exposing the Trachea May Lead to Overlapping Procedures

Question: Our provider performed a routine planned tracheostomy that includes the following documentation within the operative report: “I vertically divided the superficial layer of deep cervical fascia using monopolar cautery. I then continued dissection until the thyroid isthmus was identified. The isthmus was partially divided using bipolar electrocautery.” Can I bill for 60200 in addition to the tracheostomy? Georgia Subscriber Answer: The [...]
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