Ask the expert: Coding a side-to-side anastomosis
HIM Connection, July 15, 2008
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Q: Should coders report side-to-side anastomosis as an end-to-end functional anastomosis (which requires no code)?
A: If the physician documents a side-to-side anastomosis, assign the appropriate code from the 45.90–45.95 category. However, if the physician documents an end-to-end functional anastomosis, don’t report a code. Although the surgical technique for the functional end-to-end anastomosis differs from the side-to-side anastomosis, it is functionally an end-to-end anastomosis.
Editor’s note: This Q&A appeared in the July issue of Briefings on Coding Compliance Strategies. For more information, visit www.hcpro.com/content/213844.cfm. Sandy Sillman, RHIT, PAHM, DRG coordinator for Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, answered this question.
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