Wiki Colonoscopy with tatooing of colonic lesion

[lindacoder]

Medicare patient is sent to us after having undergone a colonoscopy by another physician who found a lesion but did not tatoo it at that time. Patient now presents for repeat colonoscopy to tatoo prior to colon resection being done by my physician. Do I just charge a regular colonoscopy or is there something else I should be doing? I was looking at 45381 but didn't know since he's Medicare if I can charge for it. ?? any modifier that I might need too.

Thanks.

 

[danastiff]

re:colonoscopy tattooing

Look at skin codes 11920-11922 for the tattooing.

 

[scorrado]

If he truly does a complete colonoscopy and tattooing I would charge the 45381. If it is just a sigmoidoscopy with tattooing then I would use 45335. Hope this helps!

 

[russmam]

tatooing during colonoscopy

I would use 45381
Mary Jo Russman, CPC, CGIC
Cleveland Clinic

 

[DeeCPC]

Look at skin codes 11920-11922 for the tattooing.

As you say, these are 'skin codes' and should only be used on the skin.