deborahcook4040
Networker
How would you code this? Physician performs a lap appy, but on examination the tissue at the base of the appendix is so friable that she's not willing to trust the staple line. She decides to open the patient and perform an excision of the end of the cecum in order to move the staple line back to healthier tissue.
Do I put a 22 modifier on the lap appy, even tho the second part of the procedure was not laparoscopic? Do I code it as an open appy? I would think I use a 22 modifier either way, since neither code covers the excision beyond the appy.
Any help is appreciated
Do I put a 22 modifier on the lap appy, even tho the second part of the procedure was not laparoscopic? Do I code it as an open appy? I would think I use a 22 modifier either way, since neither code covers the excision beyond the appy.
Any help is appreciated