You Be the Coder:
Repair of Ureter
Published on Wed Nov 01, 2000
Question: How should we code for repair of a ureter that was cut by mistake while a gynecologist was performing a hysterectomy? Should we use a modifier since our doctors repair was done within the global period of the hysterectomy?
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Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the box below for the answer.
Answer: This resection scenario would be a reconstruction of the ureter. If the ureter was cut in two, and must be sewn back together, use code 50760 (ureteroureterostomy). If the ureter was cut into, but not in two, use 50900 (ureterorrhaphy, suture of ureter, separate procedure). You do not need to be concerned about a global period, since a different provider (the urologist) was used. Neither 50700 nor 50900 is included in 58150 (total uysterectomy).
