tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2004 Issue 5

Reader Question: Don't Report Open and Laparoscopic Codes Together

Question: If CPT does not contain a code for a specific laparoscopic procedure, how should we code? Can we report a diagnostic laparoscopic code and the open code?Tennessee Subscriber Answer: You should use only one code to describe a laparoscopic procedure, and you should never report open and laparoscopic codes for the same procedure. If CPT does not contain a specific code to describe the laparoscopic procedure your surgeon conducted, look for the appropriate "unlisted" laparoscopic code for the body site. For example, for a ventral hernia repaired laparoscopically, report 49659, (Unlisted laparoscopy procedure, hernioplasty, herniorrhaphy, herniotomy). Be...

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