rsboggs
Networker
Our GS was called into an already open case by an OB/GYN performing a diagnostic lap on a lady for chronic pelvic pain. The OB/GYN encountered extensive abdominal and small bowel adhesions.
My GS performed adhesiolysis using harmonic scalpel and blunt dissection of the small bowel adhesions and adhesions around the umbilicus taking approx. 15 minutes. He did not open, close or insert any additional ports.
At a coding seminar I attended we were told that if the surgeon "looks only", just bill the E&M code no procedure. If he actually does something to the patient, bill the "procedure he performed" only with a modifier 52 since no opening or closing was performed.
So in the past I would bill a 44180/52 with notes attached. I am second guessing myself now though as I am reading posts here that state we bill the primary procedure with a 62 mod.
Another example is my GS is called in by the OB/GYN for an appy during a diagnostic lap/hyster etc. I have been billing those as 44970/52.
Any help or input would be greatly appreciated.
My GS performed adhesiolysis using harmonic scalpel and blunt dissection of the small bowel adhesions and adhesions around the umbilicus taking approx. 15 minutes. He did not open, close or insert any additional ports.
At a coding seminar I attended we were told that if the surgeon "looks only", just bill the E&M code no procedure. If he actually does something to the patient, bill the "procedure he performed" only with a modifier 52 since no opening or closing was performed.
So in the past I would bill a 44180/52 with notes attached. I am second guessing myself now though as I am reading posts here that state we bill the primary procedure with a 62 mod.
Another example is my GS is called in by the OB/GYN for an appy during a diagnostic lap/hyster etc. I have been billing those as 44970/52.
Any help or input would be greatly appreciated.