Wiki Hartman Procedure with Drainage

Elizabeth83

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If a Hartman Procedure is performed and the colon was found to be perforated and drainage of stool had to be completed before the colectomy, would you think that coding 49020 is acceptable for the culture, drainage, and irrigation along with the colectomy 44143?

Any feedback would be great. According to the NCCI edits I feel it should be included becauce it was necessary in order to complete the colectomy. It also involved a lot more work and time though, so maybe a 22 modifier would be acceptable?
 
I'd agree with you. If it had to be done in order to perform the more extensive procedure, it's included. And you can't show a separate and distinct reason for doing it.
 
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