Wiki Staging Laparascopy with Whipple

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Birmingham, AL
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I need some guidance please. My surgeons are performing diagnostic laps for staging before doing the Whipple procedure to check for metastatic disease. When nothing is found, they open and proceed with with the Whipple. Per CCI edits, I have always just coded the Whipple. However they are now saying we need to to add the diagnostic lap (49320) in addition to the Whipple. From what I can see, you do not add it and it bundles. It will also most likely trigger a Medicare audit. They are saying it precedes the open procedure, so it should be coded. I believe it is scouting to access for the extent of disease. I can’t find any good articles and need help with some kind of back up or clarification to present to them. If I am incorrect, I’d love to see and have documentation to cover my own self. Can anyone help? My supervisor and I are at wit’s end.
 
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