General Surgery Coding Alert

Question: When the surgeon discovers appendicitis and performs an appendectomy during the primary procedure, such as an open cholecystectomy, I understand that we should  use +44955 instead of 44950. But what if the primary procedure is laparoscopic -- should we still use +44955 for an add-on appendectomy?Iowa SubscriberAnswer: No, you should not use +44955 (Appendectomy; when done for indicated purpose at time of other major procedure [not as separate procedure] [list separately in addition to code for primary procedure]) for a laparoscopic "add-on" appendectomy. If circumstances warrant billing a separate laparoscopic appendectomy, you should report 44970 (Laparoscopy, surgical, appendectomy) instead.Caution: Abdominal surgery usually includes an incidental appendectomy. You should add a separate appendectomy code only if you meet both of the following criteria:The appendix shows distinct pathology that prompts the surgeon to remove it, the surgeon and/or pathology report documents the conditionOther procedures during the same session do not relate directly [...]