tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2011 Issue 8

You Be the Coder: 44620 -44626 Choice Depends on Anastomosis

Question: When reversing a colostomy, the surgeon resects the ends of the colon to prepare for an end-to-end anastomosis. The resected ends show no pathology -- they're resected only to create a healthy anastomosis. Should we bill 44626 or 44620 for the service?Pennsylvania SubscriberAnswer: You would usually code the service you describe as 44625 (Closure of enterostomy, large or small intestine; with resection and anastomosis other than colorectal). You should not report 44626 (... with resection and colorectal anastomosis [e.g., closure of Hartmann type procedure) for the service you describe. Reserve 44626 for situations when the surgeon...

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