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Urology Coding Alert

Case Study:

Double ESWLs Do not Have to Mean Double the Headache

Published on Mon Apr 13, 2009

You may need to appeal to get proper payment. When your urologist performs the same procedure twice during the same session, but in different anatomical areas, figuring out the proper coding can stump even the best coders. Test your know-how with this real-life case study. Review the Surgical Case Scenario: A patient received 3,000 shocks to a 10x8 mm stone in the right mid ureter followed by 2,000 shocks to a 7x5 mm stone in the middle calyx of the right kidney. These stones are in completely separate areas within the right urinary system. Coding dilemma: "What would be the best way to recoup for all the work my physician actually performed on these two distinct right-sided stones?" asks Alice Kater, CPC, PCS, coder for Urology Associates of South Bend, Ind., who presented a similar case study. Separate ESWLs Mean Separate Codes Myth: For this scenario, you may think you [...]
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