tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2000 Issue 8

Get Paid for Laparoscopy Turned Open Using the Correct Modifier

Sometimes general surgeons begin a procedure laparoscopically, but decide to convert to an open procedure due to intraoperative findings. For general surgeons, this most often occurs during a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Such a conversion, however, may also take place during any laparoscopic procedure, such as appendectomy, splenectomy, Nissen fundoplication, or hernia repair.Correct Modifier Key to PaymentAlthough the coding guidelines for this situation are straightforward only the open procedure should be billed some general surgeons incorrectly code and bill for both the laparoscopic and open procedures by appending modifier -53 (discontinued procedure) to the laparoscopic procedure, which is never correct...

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