tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2000 Issue 2

Yo Be the Coder: Converting Laparoscopic to Open Cholecystectomy

Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the box below for the answer.Question: If I am performing a laparoscopic cholecystectomy and have to convert to an open cholecystectomy, what code and modifier can I use?Fawal Zafer, MDAnswer: According to the national Correct Coding Initiative (CCI), a laparoscopic procedure converted to an open cannot be billed twice. Consequently, you cant bill for both procedures, say Susan Callaway-Stradley, CPC, CCS-P, an independent coding consultant and educator in North Augusta, S.C.Depending on the amount of time the surgeon spent on the...

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