Colon Motility & Manometric Studies: You've Got New CPT Codes

As a gastroenterology coder, there are a lot of changes you need to sort through this year.

This year, CPT put an end to your search for a code on colon motility by coming up with a new code for manometric study in addition to two revised codes for esophageal pH monitoring.

The new manometric study codes are 91117 and 91013. Code 91117 is just for the study itself, not for the same session with catheter placement. The radiologist may place the catheter in a procedure before and the gastroenterologist may come in and out to supervise the testing and any provocations that are carried out. Therefore, you should include the provocations in the study and report 97117 only once no matter how many times the testing is done.

You can go for 91013 in cases like assessment of the effect on the measured esophageal motility when the patient's esophagus is exposed to different stimulant liquids. This code is also applicable when intravenous medications are administered to try to produce symptoms. CPT 91010 is included in 91013 and wouldn't be billed separately.

Change the way you use 91034, 91035: Apart from 91117 and 91013, this year CPT revised esophageal pH monitoring codes to describe the site of attachment:

91034 -- Esophagus, gastroesophageal reflux test, with nasal catheter pH electrode[s] placement, recording, analysis and interpretation

91035 -- with mucosal attached telemetry pH electrode placement, recording, analysis and interpretation

As per the revisions, 91034 is for the nasal approach where the catheter goes through the nose and down the patient's neck to the monitor. The patient walks around for 24 hours wearing the device and recording her symptoms of belching, pain, and the like. The device manufacturers figured a way to directly attach the device into the nose without having to have a catheter through the nose.

Apart from these, there are other revisions pertaining to your gastroenterology coding. For more on these and for other updates relating to your gastroenterology coding, sign up for a one-stop medical coding guide like Supercoder.

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