tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2004 Issue 8

Reader Question: Documentation Should Guide Modifier -22 Use

Question: Our surgeon performed a laparoscopic cholecystectomy with an attempted intraoperative cholan-giogram. The cholangiogram failed, however, because the catheter did not pass through. Should I report 47562 with modifier -22, or should I bill 47563 because the surgeon completed 90 percent of the procedure? Minnesota SubscriberAnswer: The answer depends primarily on the strength of the surgeon's documentation. To begin, you should definitely not choose 47563 (Laparoscopy, surgical; cholecystectomy with cholangiography). That the surgeon completed "90 percent" of the work described by the code is not sufficient: The surgeon must perform the total service before you may report a given...

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