CPT^® 44955, Under Excision Procedures on the Appendix

The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT^®) code 44955 as maintained by American Medical Association, is a medical procedural code under the range - Excision Procedures on the Appendix.

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Summary

The provider removes the appendix, saclike structure situated in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen at the junction of the large and small intestines, during the performance of another major procedure; He removes the appendix to relieve pain, because it shows evidence of active inflammation or scarring from previous inflammation, or to prevent rupture.

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Appendectomy confusion!!

[QUOTE="mjewett, post: 106678, member: 37822"] Code 49000 is bundled with code 44950, so code 49000 can not be billed. Code 44955 is not a stand alone code, since you can't bill 49000 then you can't ... [ Read More ]

+44955- Laparoscopic or Open only?

[QUOTE="csperoni, post: 505078, member: 164618"] Let me get some clarification: 44204 was the primary procedure. The appendix was also removed but was normal and incidental? If that's the case, then... [ Read More ]

+44955- Laparoscopic or Open only? appendix cecectomy laparoscopic

A coder has billed CPT 44979 with reference to add-on code 44955 as the appendix was normal and incidental. UHC has denied payment on 44979 as the operative note we sent in is being considered "Incomp... [ Read More ]

Open appendectomy with partial cecectomy

Depending on the path report, I think I would go with 44140 (supported by diagnosis) and 44955. I've actually had this scenario not too long ago and, in researching, found this link. I think it explai... [ Read More ]

repair of small intestine and anastomosis of small intestine to small intestine

[QUOTE="cbutsko, post: 493531, member: 129794"] I think the first 2 are correct, and the appy should be the 44955. I'd bill it as 44120, 44602-59, 44955 all with the appropriate dx codes tied to each... [ Read More ]

repair of small intestine and anastomosis of small intestine to small intestine

I think the first 2 are correct, and the appy should be the 44955. I'd bill it as 44120, 44602-59, 44955 all with the appropriate dx codes tied to each. Be sure to check the path report, especially f... [ Read More ]

repair of small intestine and anastomosis of small intestine to small intestine appendectomy bowel anastomosis small intestine

Ok I am stumped and possibly over thinking all of this. So The surgeon started out doing a diagnostic laparoscopy which turned into a laparotomy and resulted in multiple procedures with all three bein... [ Read More ]

needing CPT code assistance - abdominal washout

58960 is specifically a staging procedure after another surgery that diagnosed ovarian, tubal or primary peritoneal cancer. It does not sound like the surgery you briefly describe. 58670 is laparosco... [ Read More ]

Lap appy converted to open w/ open hemicolectomy

If the appy was done separately from the hemi-colectomy, and the terminal ileum was not removed, I would use 44140 and 44955 for indicated appendectomy performed with major procedure. If the partial ... [ Read More ]

Need help with Wedge resection of sigmoid colon

[QUOTE="cpc2007, post: 401156, member: 15287"]For the wedge resection of the mass of the colon, I would code 44110 (this code includes a single colotomy into the colon with a localized removal of only... [ Read More ]

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