Is 44145 the CPT code for Lap-to-Open Colectomy?

Question: What codes would you use for lower anterior resection with anal anastomosis and divered ileostomy with mobilization of splenic flexure, which was converted to an open procedure? Answer: You’ll report the open procedure codes for this case. ...

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Surgical Coding: Follow Hernia Bundling Rules

Did you factor in a foreign body removal code?

Question: During an open hernia repair for a reducible umbilical hernia, the surgeon finds a sizeable gallstone embedded in the omentum extending into the preperitoneal fat. The surgeon excises the...

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2 Tips Lead to Modifier 22 Success Every Time

Watch frequency and provide documentation to rationalize extra pay.

Applying modifier 22 (Increased procedural services) can help increase reimbursement if your neurosurgeon documents a greater-than-usual effort during a surgical service. To ensure your claims’ success, surgeons and coders must also...

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Give Your Radiosurgery or Gamma Knife Surgery Coding a Check-Up

Improve your reimbursement chances by applying modifier 58 in this situation. When your surgeon targets the brain or spine with stereotactic radiosurgery (also called gamma knife surgery) to treat multiple lesions over multiple sessions, you need to know two crucial things: what stereotactic radiosurgery codes to use and how many units to include. Take this three-question challenge [...] Related articles:

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  3. Second Surgery Coding: Tips for Modifier 58, 78 SuccessDon’t let ‘unplanned’ lead to ‘unpaid.’ The next time a...

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8 Simple Steps Organize Your Op Note Coding

This aspect of op note coding is the “horse that pulls the cart.” Stuck on how to tackle this op note or those sitting on your desk? Follow this advice, provided by Melanie Witt, RN, CPC, COBGC, MA, an ob-gyn coding expert based in Guadalupita, N.M. and co-presenter of the “Ob-Gyn Op Notes” session at the [...] Related articles:

  1. 3 Steps Take the Guesswork Out of Coding Vaginal Cuff Repairs Find out what colporrhaphy code you’ll use for an...
  2. Write an Appeals Letter That Works In 6 Simple Steps Transform the written word into reimbursement with these tips...
  3. Op Note Coding Clinic: Breast Reconstruction with AlloDermSurgeons now commonly use AlloDerm in a variety of surgeries,...

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Surgical Coding: Capture Extra Work for Choledochal Cyst

Discover these subsequent reconstruction codes. Question: The surgeon treated a patient with a large choledochal cyst. The procedure involved an open cholecystectomy with en bloc excision of extrahepatic bile ducts (roux-en-Y reconstruction) with hepaticojejunostomy. What are the correct CPT and ICD-9 codes? Answer: The correct ICD-9 code will depend on whether the patient has an acquired [...] Related articles:

  1. Quick Start Guide to Benign Ovarian Cyst Dx CodingTip: An endometrial cyst is also known as a chocolate...
  2. Coding Ovarian Cyst Removal: Are You Making These 4 Mistakes?Here’s how you could potentially add $184 to your bottom...
  3. Surgical Coding: Scar Revision on Previous Mastectomy SiteTip: Find mastectomy scar revision in wound repair Question: Our...

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Surgical Coding Update: 21930, 21931 & More Debut for CPT 2010

Tumor excision codes get specific. Will surgical oncology practices take a reimbursement hit? We’re starting to learn what new CPT codes we’ll be using come January 1, 2010. Coding News will keep you posted over the coming weeks, along with analysis from coding experts around the country so that you know what to expect for your practice’s [...] Related articles:

  1. Pain Management Coding Update: Facet Joint Injection CPT Changes for 2010Pain management, anesthesia, orthopedic, physiatry & neurology coders get ready...
  2. 141 New ICD-9 Codes Debut for 2010 Like a passel of fresh-faced debutantes, the new ICD-9...
  3. Surgical Coding: Modifiers 58, 78, and 79SURGICAL MODIFIER CHOICES Surgery Modifier Choices are Key to Surgery...

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