tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2006 Issue 9

Reader Questions: Stay Away From 53 for Lap Chole Conversion

Question: Our surgeon began a laparoscopic cholecystectomy but, due to inflammation, converted to an open procedure to finish the operation. Can we report 47562 with modifier 53, along with 47600 for the open procedure? The surgeon spent considerable time on the laparoscopic approach before the conversion.Colorado Subscriber Answer: Because the surgeon began with a lap chole, you may be tempted to report 47562 (Laparoscopy, surgical; cholecystectomy) with modifier 53 (Discontinued procedure) in addition to 47600 (Cholecystectomy), but this is wrong. Instead, if the surgeon must convert to an open (non-laparoscopic) surgery due to inflammation, extensive adhesions or...

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