tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2008 Issue 6

Reader Questions: Takedown Only Separate With Partial Colectomy

Question: May I report takedown of the splenic flexure with a total colectomy (44150)? My surgeon recommends this, but I think it seems like unbundling. Virginia Subscriber Answer: No, you should not report +44139 (Mobilization [takedown] of splenic flexure performed in conjunction with partial colectomy [list separately in addition to primary procedure]) in addition to 44150 (Colectomy, total, abdominal, without proctectomy; with ileostomy or ileoproctostomy). The 44139 descriptor specifies "in conjunction with partial colectomy," whereas 44150 describes a total colectomy. In addition, CPT provides instructions that you should report add-on 44139 only with the following codes: - 44140...

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