Wiki Surgeon is listing 44960, 44970 and 99222

[RenaInMaine]

Op note says Lap Appy, also ruptured appendix w/abscess.
Dx is K35.32 Acute perforated appendix

44960 is listed under Excision
44970 is listed under Laparoscopy

I code from book, do not have an encoder. Edits say these cannot be used together. I am fairly new at this and could use some insight.

Thank you

 

[thomas7331]

The edits are correct - you can't code both an open and a laparoscopic appendectomy together - it's either one or the other. But without seeing the operative report and documentation, there's no way to say which code, if any, is the correct one for the procedure.

 

[RenaInMaine]

The edits are correct - you can't code both an open and a laparoscopic appendectomy together - it's either one or the other. But without seeing the operative report and documentation, there's no way to say which code, if any, is the correct one for the procedure.

Thank you Thomas