Wiki exploratory laparoscopy with incidental appy

[deborahcook4040]

my general surgeon did an exploratory laparoscopy - the problem turned out to be GYN in nature and more or less resolved at the time of surgery. She cleaned some old blood out of the abdominal cavity with some saline solution and did an incidental appendectomy while she was in there. There was no appendiceal abnormality.

Incidental appendectomies are generally not billable, so do I bill as an exploratory lap and just ignore the appendectomy? Is that allowed?

 

[syllingk]

Yes. You can't bill the appy since there was no pathology to go with it. Sounds like just an exploratory lap.

 

[deborahcook4040]

thanks

that's what I thought - just wanted confirmation.