tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2010 Issue 8

Reader Questions: Tissue Expander Exchange Doesn't Equal Subsequent Expansion

Question: How should I code the exchange of a tissue expander for a different type of tissue expander during the global period of the original reconstruction procedure? The surgeon performed a capsulotomy only for access to the expander.Vermont SubscriberAnswer: You should report 19371 (Periprosthetic capsulectomy, breast) and 19357 (Breast reconstruction, immediate or delayed, with tissue expander, including subsequent expansion). Modifier 78 (Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period) is probably appropriate on both codes, although you don't mention why the expander is being removed...

To read the full article, sign in and subscribe to tci General Surgery Coding Alert.


Leverage vital, to-the-point monthly guidance to boost your reporting accuracy and your coding know-how. We make it convenient for your team to stay informed, compliant, and profitable with a subscription to TCI’s General Surgery Coding Alert.

  • Current newsletters added each month
  • Fully searchable archives - over 2100 articles
  • ALL years/issues back to 1999 organized by year and issue
  • Codes mentioned in articles are linked to Code Information pages
  • Code Information pages link back to related articles
Access to this feature is available in the following products:
  • tci General Surgery Coding Alert +Archives

demo
request yours today
 subscribe
start today
 newsletter
free subscription

Thank you for choosing Find-A-Code, please Sign In to remove ads.