tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2021 Issue Q1

Reader Questions: Select Most Specific EGD Procedure Code

Question: A patient was referred to our surgeon for suspected esophageal cancer or abnormality. The surgeon inspected the upper GI tract with a flexible endoscope using high frequency transendoscopic ultrasound and extracting fine needle aspirates at three sites. Should we report +43273 or 43240? Georgia Subscriber Answer: Neither code you suggest is the best choice for this case. The best code that captures the entire esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) procedure you describe is 43238 (Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, flexible, transoral; with transendoscopic ultrasound-guided intramural or transmural fine needle aspiration/biopsy(s), (includes endoscopic ultrasound examination limited to the esophagus, stomach or duodenum, and adjacent structures)). The...

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