AHA Coding Clinic® for HCPCS - 2019 Quarter 3; For Your Information
Transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS)
A transanal rectal excision with a transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) platform was performed on a patient with a posterior rectal adenoma. Electrocautery was used to begin the dissection taking the mucosa down to the sphincter muscle and advancing left to right to remove the lesion from the left posterior part of the sphincter muscle. Once the anal ring was passed the TAMIS platform was set up. The remainder of the resection was completed with the TAMIS platform using electrocautery on scissors. What is the correct code assignment for a TAMIS transanal excision? We have been advised to assign CPT code 0184T , but the code descriptor specifies transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEMS). It is not clear if a TAMIS is the same as a TEMS or if CPT codes 45171 or 45172 should be assigned instead. ...
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Article Overview
This article examines a transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) case involving rectal lesion excision and the associated coding question. It is intended for coding professionals seeking to understand how the procedure is being framed within CPT guidance and how related transanal excision options are discussed in the article. The content focuses on the procedure context, terminology comparison, and the coding issue raised by the source material.
Why This Topic Matters
TAMIS procedures can raise coding questions when the operative approach uses minimally invasive transanal equipment and terminology that may overlap with other established transanal techniques. Knowing how the article frames the issue helps readers determine whether the discussion is relevant to their surgical coding workflow.
What You Will Learn
- How the article frames a TAMIS transanal excision case for coding review
- Which coding question is raised by the procedure terminology
- How the article compares the procedure conceptually with related transanal excision coding options
- What type of guidance the article provides for reviewing the case
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding auditors
- HIM professionals
- Revenue cycle staff
- Surgical coding specialists
Codes Discussed
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