AHA Coding Clinic® for HCPCS - 2026 Issue 1; Ask the Editor

Aborted Colonoscopy

A patient with average risk for colon cancer presented for a screening colonoscopy. Monitored anesthesia care (MAC) was administered, and the patient was positioned in the left lateral decubitus position. A digital rectal examination was performed. The flexible colonoscope was introduced through the rectum and advanced to 10 cm from the anal verge. Visualization was limited due to poor bowel preparation, with significant solid stool obstructing the lumen. The examination was terminated at that point, and the procedure was aborted. Retroflexion in the rectum was not performed.According to CPT guidance, when a colonoscopy does not reach the splenic flexure of the transverse colon, the procedure is reported as a flexible sigmoidoscopy.  What is the correct coding when the colonoscope does not advance beyond the rectum and the procedure is aborted due to inadequate bowel preparation? ...

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