tci Part B Insider - 2015 Issue 25

Reader Question: Don't Let Separate DOS Confuse Your Paracentesis Claims

Question: The gastroenterologist performed paracentesis on a patient to drain fluid from his abdominal cavity in two sessions that were two days apart. How should we report the encounters? Can we code for both the initial and subsequent paracentesis on the claim? Answer: You should report the two sessions separately as according to your description, the first session was for the paracentesis and the second for draining the excess fluid. In neither case do you mention imaging guidance. You should report the first session with CPT® code 49082 (Abdominal paracentesis [diagnostic or therapeutic]; without imaging guidance). If your gastroenterologist...

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