February 2020 page 13
Frequently Asked Questions
Surgery/Digestive System
Question: Is a hand-assisted laparoscopic (HAL) low anterior colon resection with takedown of the splenic flexure, drainage of a peritoneal
abscess, appendectomy, and umbilical hernia repair reported with laparoscopic, open, or unlisted code(s)?
Answer: Laparoscopic codes for each procedure should be reported, as appropriate. In the ACS [American College of Surgeons] Bulletin of July 2019, this issue was addressed in the article, Correct CPT coding of colectomy procedures: Open or laparoscopic?
(ACS Bulletin; July 104[7]) The relevant specialty societies (American College of Surgeons, American Society of Colorectal Surgeons, and Society...
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