AMA CPT® Assistant - 2010 Issue 6 (June)
Transanal Excision of Rectal Tumor (June 2010)
June 2010 page 3 Transanal Excision of Rectal Tumor CPT codes 45171 and 45172 were established in 2010 to report the excision of rectal tumors using a transanal approach. These services were previously reported with code 45170 , Excision of rectal tumor, transanal approach , which was concurrently deleted to allow separate coding for partial and full-thickness excision, because these services require different physician work. This article describes how to appropriately report these new codes. Transanal excision of rectal tumor procedures are typically performed in a facility setting (eg, hospital inpatient or outpatient, or ambulatory surgical center) to treat conditions such...
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Article Overview
This premium article explains CPT guidance for transanal excision of rectal tumor procedures and the 2010 coding update that separated partial-thickness and full-thickness excision reporting. It is relevant to coders, billers, and clinical documentation staff working with rectal and anal canal tumor procedures in facility settings. The article also discusses related coding notes, a category III transanal endoscopic microsurgical code, and procedural context through clinical examples.
Why This Topic Matters
Accurate reporting of transanal rectal tumor excision depends on selecting the correct CPT code based on the extent of excision and recognizing related bundled or separate services. The article helps readers understand the coding distinctions and documentation context around these procedures.
Article Sections
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June 2010 page 3
Introductory material for the article and the coding topic covered in this issue.
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Coding Tip
Coding notes related to the procedure category, including references to a related category III code and a separate diagnostic service note.
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Clinical Example (Code 45171)
A clinical scenario and procedural context illustrating one of the excision approaches discussed in the article.
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Description of Procedure
General procedural steps and operative context associated with the clinical example for the first excision approach.
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Coding Tip
Additional coding note addressing another related rectal tumor procedure and postoperative reporting considerations.
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Clinical Example (Code 45172)
A second clinical scenario and procedural context illustrating the other excision approach discussed in the article.
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Description of Procedure
General procedural steps and operative context associated with the clinical example for the second excision approach.
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Coding Tip
Final coding note addressing whether a separately reported service may apply in this procedure context.
What You Will Learn
- How the article frames the 2010 CPT update for transanal rectal tumor excision
- What general procedure categories are discussed for partial-thickness and full-thickness excision
- Which related coding notes and procedural contexts are highlighted
- What kinds of clinical examples are used to illustrate the reporting discussion
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding auditors
- Revenue cycle staff
- Physician documentation staff
- Outpatient facility billing teams
Codes Discussed
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