tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2006 Issue 11

Clip and Save: Questionnaire Helps You Choose The Appropriate Appendectomy Code

Questionnaire Helps You Choose The Appropriate Appendectomy CodeTo make your appendectomy coding even easier, use this simple question-and-answer form.Q. 1: Was the appendix ruptured, with evidence of abscess or peritonitis?Note: If the appendix has burst, there is always evidence of peritonitis, even if it is not specifically separately described. Inherently, the burst appendix has dumped inflammatory material into the peritoneum. The only exception would be traumatic damage.Yes: Report 44960 (Appendectomy; for ruptured appendix with abscess or generalized peritonitis). No: Go on to question 2. Q. 2: Does the medical record document a separate diagnosis of appendicitis...

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