Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

Reader Question:

When in Question, Return to the Op Report

Question: My ob-gyn performed an anterior colporrhaphy for reduction of cystocele, reduction of enterocele by culdoplasty, and retropubic urethropexy. I have 57240, 57425 and 51840. Is this right? Virginia Subscriber Answer: Not quite, because, to code correctly, you have to know the approach for two of the procedures to get it right. The codes you have listed are a mix of abdominal and laparoscopic approaches.Therefore, you should check the op report for the approach and the description of what your ob-gyn did. The anterior colporrhaphy is correct (57240, Anterior colporrhaphy, repair of cystocele with or without repair of urethrocele), but an enterocele repair (culdoplasty, meaning repair of the cul-de-sac) is not a colpopexy (fixation of the vaginal vault). The code you have listed, 57425 (Laparoscopy, surgical, colpopexy [suspension of vaginal apex]), is for a laparoscopic procedure. Ask yourself, did he actually suspend the vaginal vault to a structure (colpopexy) or [...]
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