Health Information Management

Do not bill C9713 with 52648

APCs Weekly Monitor, November 5, 2004

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Do not bill C9713 with 52648

Q: Is C9713 considered a device code only or a procedure code?  We are trying to determine whether we should bill C9713 along with 52648, or bill C9713.

A: C9713 ("Non-contact laser vaporization of prostate, including coagulation control of intraoperative and post-operative bleeding") has a status indicator of S and is assigned new technology APC 1525, with a national unadjusted payment of $3,750.

HCPCS C9713 represents the procedure and therefore supersedes the CPT code. Do not code both 52648 and C9713 for the same episode of care.

Reviewing the narratives of three prostrate procedure codes, 52647 states "non-contact laser coagulation", C9713 states "non-contact laser vaporization" and 52648 states "contact laser vaporization." This indicates three different modalities to treat prostate disorders. Be sure to alert your coders regarding the differences of each code.



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