tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2008 Issue 11

Update: Stick With 47379 for Lap. Liver Bx.

A recent You Be the Coder ("What Code for Lap Liver Bx," General Surgery Coding Alert, vol. 10, no. 4, pages 27 and 30) advised that you should report 49321 (Laparoscopy, surgical; with biopsy [single or multiple]), rather than an unlisted procedure code, for laparoscopic liver biopsy. The AMA, however, disagrees. The August 2006 CPT Assistant (page 10) instructs coders to select 47379 (Unlisted laparoscopic procedure, liver) to report laparoscopic liver biopsy. The AMA also reminds, "When reporting an unlisted code to describe a procedure or service, it will be necessary to submit supporting documentation - to provide...

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