tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2008 Issue 8

Reader Questions: Chole With Exploration Includes Cholangiogram

Question: Our surgeon started out doing a laparoscopic cholecystectomy with cholangiogram, but decided to open (without having removed the gallbladder)-to do bile duct exploration.-What code should I use to cover the bile duct exploration?-Would 47610 cover everything? New York Subscriber Answer: Yes, you would only report 47610 (Cholecystectomy with exploration of common duct) for an open cholecystectomy with exploration of the common duct and cholangiogram. The national Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) bundles 47605 (Cholecystectomy; with cholangiography) into 47610. The edit includes a "0" modifier indicator, meaning that you may never override them. Payers will always include the...

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