tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2009 Issue 1

Reader Questions: Be Sure of Separate Appendectomy Dx.

Question: During diagnostic laparotomy for abdominal pain, our surgeon found a ruptured left ovarian cyst, as well as an inflamed appendix on the opposite side. May I report both the oopherectomy and the appendectomy separately or is the appendectomy bundled to the oopherectomy? Texas Subscriber Answer: Commercial and Medicare payers will frequently bundle appendectomy to other, same-session abdominal procedures. In this case, however, you can report the appendectomy separately. Why? The appendectomy meets two requirements: 1. There is a documented problem with the appendix. 2. Other same-session procedures do not relate directly to the right colon. Therefore, you would...

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