tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2012 Issue 6

Reader Question: 44208 Means Colostomy

Question: Our surgeon performed a laparoscopic low-anterior colon resection with a diverting ileostomy. Is 44208 the correct code for the procedure, even though the surgeon did not perform a colostomy? Virginia Subscriber Answer: No, you should not code the procedure you describe using 44208 (Laparoscopy, surgical; colectomy, partial, with anastomosis, with coloproctostomy [low pelvic anastomosis] with colostomy). You've identified the problem with using that code -- the surgeon did not form a colostomy, but instead, did a diverting ileostomy. Do this: Code the procedure as 44207 Laparoscopy, surgical; colectomy, partial, with anastomosis, with coloproctostomy [low pelvic anastomosis]) plus 44187...

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