Urology Coding Alert
Distinguish Lap vs. Open for Omental Flap Coding
Question: How should I report a ureteral lysis and omental wrapping of the ureter for the treatment of retroperitoneal fibrosis? Should I use 49329? Alaska Subscriber Answer: The answer depends on the approach your urologist used. If he performed these procedures via an open abdominal approach, report 50715 (Ureterolysis with or without repositioning of ureter for retroperitoneal fibrosis) and +49905 (Omental flap, intra-abdominal [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure]). Keep in mind that this latter code is an add-on code and you can report +49905 only in addition to a primary procedure. In this scenario, 50715 is the primary CPT code, and +49905 is the add-on code. Alternative: If your urologist performed the entire procedure laparoscopically, you should instead use the unlisted laparoscopic code 50949 (Unlisted laparoscopy procedure, ureter) for the ureterolysis and 49329 (Unlisted laparoscopy procedure, abdomen, peritoneum and omentum) for the omental wrap. Since CPT doesn't list any laparoscopic procedure codes for either of these procedures, you will be forced to use the unlisted codes and compare the work and reimbursement to the open procedure codes mentioned above.
Urology Coding Alert
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Distinguish Lap vs. Open for Omental Flap Coding
Question: How should I report a ureteral lysis and omental wrapping of the ureter for [...] - Reader Questions:
Follow the AMA's +51797 Resequencing Trail
Question: I just got my 2010 CPT Manual and I'm noticing some codes have a [...]
