PJZ ASC Coder
New
My surgeon just read an article in one of his journals that stated add on code +15847 (eg, abdominoplasty) could be billed in addition to a panniculectomy 15830 when he excises excessive skin from the upper abdomen, currently when he performs work above the umbilicus in conjunction with a panniculectomy the additional work is handled as a cosmetic procedure and not coded or billed to the insurance. Does anyone else code 15830 and +15847 when a panniculectomy is performed with an upper abdominoplasty and does insurance reimburse for the +15847 or does it kick the claim as cosmetic? My fear is that the insurance company will kick the entire claim as cosmetic due to the +15847 (eg, abdominoplasty) code even if the panniculectomy was pre-certed. Has anyone else had experience with this? Thanks a bunch!