Friday, November 18, 2011

Two Novel Paracentesis Codes For 2012

CPT obliterates intraperitoneal catheter insertion code.

Do you know what CPT changes will have an influence on your gastroenterology practice in 2012? Here's a clue: a couple of peritoneocentesis CPT codes will be absent in your CPT manual. You need to be ready to report new CPT codes as substitutes.

Substitute Old Peritoneocentesis CPT Codes With Three Novel Ones

The change will remove 49080 (Peritoneocentesis, abdominal paracentesis, or peritoneal lavage [diagnostic or therapeutic]; initial) along with 49081 (…subsequent), and will substitute them with three new CPT codes:





  • 49082 –- i.e. Abdominal paracentesis (diagnostic or therapeutic); excluding imaging guidance







  • 49083 -- i.e ....including imaging device







  • 49084 -- i.e. Peritoneal lavage, including imaging guidance, when carried out.


  • When fluid between abdominal structures in the abdomen gathers, the physician may carry out abdominal paracentesis. CPT 49082 defines the procedure in which a needle is used to take away a sample of fluid or to drain fluid that has gathered. This procedure should be carried out excluding image guidance (49083 describes image-guided diagnosis or therapy).
    CPT manual instructs not to report 49083 in combination with 76942, 77002, 77012, and 77021 because these radiologic codes define the possible imaging devices that your physician can use to help with assistance of the paracentesis needle and the services are involved within code 49083.

    Meanwhile, a physician carries out 49084 to define the presence or absence of internal bleeding in the abdomen. Injury to the abdomen can be initiated by blunt forces as well as penetrating objects. The physician performs the test by inserting a long, flexible plastic tube in the abdomen over a small incision in line to the belly button. After that he places fluid into the abdominal cavity over the tube and does away with it through the tube for examination. The procedure may involve the use of image guidance.

    Get ready For Category III Code 0288T

    A novel Category III code on anoscopy will get introduced in 2012: 0288T (Anascopy with radio frequency delivery). This code defines an examination of the rectum wherein the physician inserts a small tube into the anus to screen, diagnose, and assess problems of the anus as well as anal canal. The physician then applies radio frequency energy delivery to close or ablate diverse abnormalities in the rectal area.

    Revive Your Deleted Code List To Involve 78220-78223

    Further gastroenterology-related CPT codes changes that will take place in 2012 involve the deletion of codes:





  • 49420 – i.e. Inclusion of intraperitoneal cannula or insertion of catheter meant for drainage or dialysis; temporary







  • 78220 -- i.e. Liver function study including hepatobiliary agents, along with serial images







  • 78223 -- i.e. Hepatobiliary ductal system imaging, with gallbladder, including or excluding pharmacologic intervention, including or excluding quantitative measurement of gallbladder function







  • 91012 -- i.e. Esophageal motility (manometric study of the esophagus and/or gastroesophageal junction) study; including acid perfusion studies.


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