tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2018 Issue 4

Reader Question: Check Payer Rules for GERD Procedure

Question: Our surgeon performed a laparoscopic esophageal sphincter augmentation by placing a magnetic band at the sphincter for a patient with GERD. During the procedure, the surgeon noted esophagitis related to a hiatal hernia, and he repaired the hernia with a mesh placement. How should we code this case to capture both procedures? Georgia Subscriber Answer: You should report the surgeon's work as 43284 (Laparoscopy, surgical, esophageal sphincter augmentation procedure, placement of sphincter augmentation device (ie, magnetic band), including cruroplasty when performed). You should not separately report the mesh placement, or cruroplasty, because the code descriptor includes that service...

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