Wiki What are the rules for Lap?

[acbarnes]

I have a physician who will do an entire lap LAR, 44207 with mob splenic flexure, 44213 laparoscopically. After confirming anastomosis intact, he will remove the ports and enlarge the midline incision. He will then perform an open 44700. Most ins will not accept a claim with lap codes and open codes billed together. Are there rules for cases like this?

I know if a lap is converted to an open, an open code is billed.

 

[cmartin]

I think you could add the -59 to the open code; he is apparently doing it as a separate procedure, not converting from lap to open in the process of completing a single procedure.
C.Martin, CPC-GENSG