tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2005 Issue 5

READER QUESTIONS: Don't Bundle Wedge Biopsy of Liver

Question: The surgeon performed an exploratory laparotomy and wedge biopsy of the liver. She excised the mass and sent it to pathology, and it returned positive. How should I code this?Georgia Subscriber Answer: You should report 47100 (Biopsy of liver, wedge). Unlike other liver biopsies, the procedure described by 47100 is considered an excision because the surgeon takes a wedge of liver and then sutures the excised edges to prevent bleeding.You may have some difficulty obtaining wedge biopsy payment if the surgeon undertakes the procedure during the same session as another abdominal procedure. Some carriers routinely bundle...

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