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Postoperative Spinal Wound Infection
Our surgeon performed a thoracolumbar spinal procedure two weeks ago. The patient developed a wound infection requiring surgical intervention. The surgeon’s note indicates that subfascial irrigation and debridement was performed from T10 through L5. In reviewing the CPT manual, I see codes for the cervical/thoracic and the lumbar/sacral regions. Should both codes 22010 and 22015 be reported for this return to the operating room during the global period since the surgeon did work in both the thoracic and lumbar regions?
Telehealth Licensure Requirements
We live in a northern state and frequently have patients who travel to warmer clients during the winter. Are you able to directly me to information on state licensure requirements for Telehealth services?
Coding Right and Left Carotid Stents at Different Operative Sessions
The physician staged a patient’s bilateral carotid stent with embolic protection procedures. The right carotid stent was done first and then the 6 weeks later the left side was done. What is the correct modifier on the second carotid stent?
Coding a Diverting Ileostomy with a Low Anterior Resection/Low Pelvic Anastomosis Partial Colectomy
Instead of a colostomy as described in the laparoscopic CPT codes 44208 or the open code, 44146, my doctor does a diverting ileostomy. We have been billing the primary codes 44145 or 44207 and adding the ileostomy code, 44187 if laparoscopic or 44310 if open. Is that correct?
Use of an Endoscope
If an endoscope is used to check for residual tumor or ensure an aneurysm is clipped, is there a code for that or should we also bill an unlisted code?
Inpatient E/M Coding
I did an inpatient consultation and coded 99253 (non-Medicare). I did not need to follow the patient so I signed off. They asked me to re-consult a week later. What is the code for a re-consult?
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