Digestive System

Question 1

Multiple endoscopic procedures rule

Answer 1

One code per technique, add modifier 51 or 59

Question 2

Complete colonoscopy

Answer 2

Cecum must be visualized

Question 3

Complete EGD

Answer 3

Must visualize esophagus, stomach, and jejunum/duodenum

Question 4

Hernia coding

Answer 4

Approach, type of repair, initial/recurrent, age, reducible/incarcerated/strangulated

Question 5

Endoscopic technique/approach

Answer 5

Included in any endoscopic surgical procedure

Question 6

Tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy laterality

Answer 6

No laterality, assumed bilateral

Question 7

Reduced/discontinued colon/esophagus endoscopies

Answer 7

Modifiers 52/53

Question 8

Diagnostic colonoscopy

Answer 8

Separate procedure, inherent in therapeutic colonoscopy

Question 9

Separate, distinct polyp, lesion, or tumor biopsy

Answer 9

45380-59

Question 10

Flex sigmoidoscopy

Answer 10

Endoscopy not beyond the splenic flexure

Question 11

Dilation without direct visualization

Answer 11

43450

Question 12

Dilation coding

Answer 12

Only code if successful

Question 13

Lysis of adhesions

Answer 13

Code when performed independently of other procedures

Question 14

Appendectomies/cholecystectomies

Answer 14

Laparoscopic or open

Question 15

Incidental appendectomy

Answer 15

Not separately reportable

Question 16

Appendectomy at the time of other major procedure

Answer 16

44955, add on code no modifier

Question 17

Anterior abdominal or parastomal hernia codes

Answer 17

Only reported once, based on total defect size

Question 18

Inguinal, femoral, lumbar, omphacele hernias

Answer 18

May be reported separately with anterior abdominal hernias (modifier 59)

Question 19

Both reducible and incarcerated/strangulated anterior abdominal hernias repaired

Answer 19

Combine Sizes and use incarcerated/strangulated code

Question 20

Laparotomy

Answer 20

Inherent in any open abdominal procedure

Question 21

Laparoscopy

Answer 21

Inherent in any laparoscopic abdominal procedure