CPT codes diversify for hysterectomy and repair of paravaginal defects

There’s more: If you’ve been spending time on telephone or on-line counseling, codes that may get you paid for that service are about to make their debut.

Key additions and revisions to CPT for the new year are detailed in this article and in next issue’s Reimbursement Adviser.

Specify repair of paravaginal defect

57284  Paravaginal defect repair (including repair of cystocele, if performed); open abdominal approach

57285   Paravaginal defect repair (including repair of cystocele, if performed); vaginal approach

57423  Paravaginal defect repair (including repair of cystocele, if performed); laparoscopic approach

You’ll now have to carefully document your surgical approach to repairing a paravaginal defect, thanks to creation of two new codes and revision of the existing 57284.

Several bundles are still attached to the new codes, however. CPT did remove references to “stress urinary incontinence, and/or incomplete vaginal prolapse” from the revised and new codes, but repair of a cystocele, by any method, is still included.

CPT 2008 is, therefore, listing codes that cannot be reported additionally. In general, urethropexy codes 51840, 51841, 51990, 58152, and 58267 and cystocele repair codes 57240, 57260, and 57265 should not be reported when a paravaginal defect repair is performed.

Also, be alert for any National Correct Coding Initiatives (NCCI) bundles assigned by Medicare to these new codes if they are different from the ones that will be listed by CPT. In particular, 57288 [sling operation for stress incontinence (e.g., fascia or synthetic)] was permanently bundled into 57284. (If that bundle isn’t removed in 2008, I encourage you to contact ACOG and urge the College to discuss this inappropriate bundle with Medicare administrators.)

Total lap hysterectomy

58570  Laparoscopy, surgical, with total hysterectomy, for uterus 250 g or less

58571  Laparoscopy, surgical, with total hysterectomy, for uterus 250 g or less; with removal of tube(s) and/or ovary(ies)

58572  Laparoscopy, surgical, with total hysterectomy, for uterus greater than 250 g

58573  Laparoscopy, surgical, with total hysterectomy, for uterus greater than 250 g; with removal of tube(s) and/or ovary(ies)

For some time, surgeons have been able to perform a hysterectomy by completely detaching both the uterine cervix and the body of the uterus from their surrounding support structures laparoscopically, then closing the vaginal cuff via this approach as well. Before 2008, the only coding choices were laparoscopic-assisted hysterectomy codes (58550–58554) or the unlisted laparoscopic code 58578. The new codes—as with codes for any vaginal or laparoscopic approach—are selected based on 1) the documented weight of the uterus and 2) whether the fallopian tubes or ovaries have been removed.

Intraperitoneal tumors, coded by size

49203 Excision or destruction, open, intra-abdominal tumors, cysts or endometriomas, 1 or more peritoneal, mesenteric, or retroperitoneal primary or secondary tumors; largest tumor 5 cm diameter or less

49204 …largest tumor 5.1–10.0 cm diameter

49205 …largest tumor greater than 10.0 cm diameter

In 2007, documenting the removal of intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal tumors, cysts, and endometriomas via abdominal incision was fairly simple: There were two codes and you had only to decide if removal was extensive or not.

In 2008, codes 49200 and 49201 are deleted and replaced by three new codes—each of which requires you to document the size of the largest tumor or lesion removed.

The new codes will come in handy during surgery in which the originating organ has been removed but the patient is found to have additional tumors. For example: A patient had ovarian cancer and now there are additional tumors in the abdominal cavity, but an omentectomy is not being performed. Of course, the new codes can still be used for excision or destruction of cysts or endometriomas, as well. But CPT has also listed codes that cannot be billed with the new codes: Among them are 38770 [pelvic lymphadenectomy] and 58900–58960 [surgeries performed on the ovaries]. If the new codes don’t fit the surgery, the other option for tumor debulking after the organ has been removed is to report 58957 or 58958; note, however, that these codes include omentectomy and optional pelvic lymph node sampling.

Bladder aspiration is renumbered

51100 Aspiration of bladder; by needle

51101 …by trocar or intracatheter

51102 …with insertion of suprapubic catheter

If you have the old codes for bladder aspiration memorized, relearn them. Once again, CPT tinkered with placement of codes and decided that bladder aspiration codes are placed more appropriately under “Bladder, Removal” than “Bladder, Incision.” The uses of those codes are unchanged.

Giving flu, HPV vaccines

90661 Influenza virus vaccine, derived from cell cultures, subunit, preservative and antibiotic free, for intramuscular use

90662 Influenza virus vaccine, split virus, preservative free, enhanced immunogenicity via increased antigen content, for intramuscular use

90663 Influenza virus vaccine, pandemic formulation

90650 Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, types 16 and 18, bivalent, 3-dose schedule, for intramuscular use

Four new codes for vaccines can be reported beginning January 1, but only those for the influenza vaccine appear in the CPT 2008 book. The code for the new bivalent HPV vaccine is a valid code for 2008 but will not appear in print until CPT 2009.

Changes made to “modifier -51” exemptions

CPT 2008 also reassessed codes that have been designated as “modifier - 51 exempt.” Typically, these are codes that do not involve significant preoperative or postoperative work. 36660 [catheterization, umbilical artery, newborn, for diagnosis or therapy] now requires a modifier when performed with other procedures, whereas 51797 [voiding pressure studies (VP); intra-abdominal voiding pressure (AP) (rectal, gastric, intraperitoneal)] becomes an add-on code that does not take a modifier -51. Beginning January 1, 51797 can be billed only if 51795 [voiding pressure studies (VP); bladder voiding pressure, any technique] has also been reported.

There’s more: If you’ve been spending time on telephone or on-line counseling, codes that may get you paid for that service are about to make their debut.

Key additions and revisions to CPT for the new year are detailed in this article and in next issue’s Reimbursement Adviser.

Specify repair of paravaginal defect

57284  Paravaginal defect repair (including repair of cystocele, if performed); open abdominal approach

57285   Paravaginal defect repair (including repair of cystocele, if performed); vaginal approach

57423  Paravaginal defect repair (including repair of cystocele, if performed); laparoscopic approach

You’ll now have to carefully document your surgical approach to repairing a paravaginal defect, thanks to creation of two new codes and revision of the existing 57284.

Several bundles are still attached to the new codes, however. CPT did remove references to “stress urinary incontinence, and/or incomplete vaginal prolapse” from the revised and new codes, but repair of a cystocele, by any method, is still included.

CPT 2008 is, therefore, listing codes that cannot be reported additionally. In general, urethropexy codes 51840, 51841, 51990, 58152, and 58267 and cystocele repair codes 57240, 57260, and 57265 should not be reported when a paravaginal defect repair is performed.

Also, be alert for any National Correct Coding Initiatives (NCCI) bundles assigned by Medicare to these new codes if they are different from the ones that will be listed by CPT. In particular, 57288 [sling operation for stress incontinence (e.g., fascia or synthetic)] was permanently bundled into 57284. (If that bundle isn’t removed in 2008, I encourage you to contact ACOG and urge the College to discuss this inappropriate bundle with Medicare administrators.)

Total lap hysterectomy

58570  Laparoscopy, surgical, with total hysterectomy, for uterus 250 g or less

58571  Laparoscopy, surgical, with total hysterectomy, for uterus 250 g or less; with removal of tube(s) and/or ovary(ies)

58572  Laparoscopy, surgical, with total hysterectomy, for uterus greater than 250 g

58573  Laparoscopy, surgical, with total hysterectomy, for uterus greater than 250 g; with removal of tube(s) and/or ovary(ies)

For some time, surgeons have been able to perform a hysterectomy by completely detaching both the uterine cervix and the body of the uterus from their surrounding support structures laparoscopically, then closing the vaginal cuff via this approach as well. Before 2008, the only coding choices were laparoscopic-assisted hysterectomy codes (58550–58554) or the unlisted laparoscopic code 58578. The new codes—as with codes for any vaginal or laparoscopic approach—are selected based on 1) the documented weight of the uterus and 2) whether the fallopian tubes or ovaries have been removed.

Intraperitoneal tumors, coded by size

49203 Excision or destruction, open, intra-abdominal tumors, cysts or endometriomas, 1 or more peritoneal, mesenteric, or retroperitoneal primary or secondary tumors; largest tumor 5 cm diameter or less

49204 …largest tumor 5.1–10.0 cm diameter

49205 …largest tumor greater than 10.0 cm diameter

In 2007, documenting the removal of intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal tumors, cysts, and endometriomas via abdominal incision was fairly simple: There were two codes and you had only to decide if removal was extensive or not.

In 2008, codes 49200 and 49201 are deleted and replaced by three new codes—each of which requires you to document the size of the largest tumor or lesion removed.

The new codes will come in handy during surgery in which the originating organ has been removed but the patient is found to have additional tumors. For example: A patient had ovarian cancer and now there are additional tumors in the abdominal cavity, but an omentectomy is not being performed. Of course, the new codes can still be used for excision or destruction of cysts or endometriomas, as well. But CPT has also listed codes that cannot be billed with the new codes: Among them are 38770 [pelvic lymphadenectomy] and 58900–58960 [surgeries performed on the ovaries]. If the new codes don’t fit the surgery, the other option for tumor debulking after the organ has been removed is to report 58957 or 58958; note, however, that these codes include omentectomy and optional pelvic lymph node sampling.

Bladder aspiration is renumbered

51100 Aspiration of bladder; by needle

51101 …by trocar or intracatheter

51102 …with insertion of suprapubic catheter

If you have the old codes for bladder aspiration memorized, relearn them. Once again, CPT tinkered with placement of codes and decided that bladder aspiration codes are placed more appropriately under “Bladder, Removal” than “Bladder, Incision.” The uses of those codes are unchanged.

Giving flu, HPV vaccines

90661 Influenza virus vaccine, derived from cell cultures, subunit, preservative and antibiotic free, for intramuscular use

90662 Influenza virus vaccine, split virus, preservative free, enhanced immunogenicity via increased antigen content, for intramuscular use

90663 Influenza virus vaccine, pandemic formulation

90650 Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, types 16 and 18, bivalent, 3-dose schedule, for intramuscular use

Four new codes for vaccines can be reported beginning January 1, but only those for the influenza vaccine appear in the CPT 2008 book. The code for the new bivalent HPV vaccine is a valid code for 2008 but will not appear in print until CPT 2009.

Changes made to “modifier -51” exemptions

CPT 2008 also reassessed codes that have been designated as “modifier - 51 exempt.” Typically, these are codes that do not involve significant preoperative or postoperative work. 36660 [catheterization, umbilical artery, newborn, for diagnosis or therapy] now requires a modifier when performed with other procedures, whereas 51797 [voiding pressure studies (VP); intra-abdominal voiding pressure (AP) (rectal, gastric, intraperitoneal)] becomes an add-on code that does not take a modifier -51. Beginning January 1, 51797 can be billed only if 51795 [voiding pressure studies (VP); bladder voiding pressure, any technique] has also been reported.

There’s more: If you’ve been spending time on telephone or on-line counseling, codes that may get you paid for that service are about to make their debut.

Key additions and revisions to CPT for the new year are detailed in this article and in next issue’s Reimbursement Adviser.

Specify repair of paravaginal defect

57284  Paravaginal defect repair (including repair of cystocele, if performed); open abdominal approach

57285   Paravaginal defect repair (including repair of cystocele, if performed); vaginal approach

57423  Paravaginal defect repair (including repair of cystocele, if performed); laparoscopic approach

You’ll now have to carefully document your surgical approach to repairing a paravaginal defect, thanks to creation of two new codes and revision of the existing 57284.

Several bundles are still attached to the new codes, however. CPT did remove references to “stress urinary incontinence, and/or incomplete vaginal prolapse” from the revised and new codes, but repair of a cystocele, by any method, is still included.

CPT 2008 is, therefore, listing codes that cannot be reported additionally. In general, urethropexy codes 51840, 51841, 51990, 58152, and 58267 and cystocele repair codes 57240, 57260, and 57265 should not be reported when a paravaginal defect repair is performed.

Also, be alert for any National Correct Coding Initiatives (NCCI) bundles assigned by Medicare to these new codes if they are different from the ones that will be listed by CPT. In particular, 57288 [sling operation for stress incontinence (e.g., fascia or synthetic)] was permanently bundled into 57284. (If that bundle isn’t removed in 2008, I encourage you to contact ACOG and urge the College to discuss this inappropriate bundle with Medicare administrators.)

Total lap hysterectomy

58570  Laparoscopy, surgical, with total hysterectomy, for uterus 250 g or less

58571  Laparoscopy, surgical, with total hysterectomy, for uterus 250 g or less; with removal of tube(s) and/or ovary(ies)

58572  Laparoscopy, surgical, with total hysterectomy, for uterus greater than 250 g

58573  Laparoscopy, surgical, with total hysterectomy, for uterus greater than 250 g; with removal of tube(s) and/or ovary(ies)

For some time, surgeons have been able to perform a hysterectomy by completely detaching both the uterine cervix and the body of the uterus from their surrounding support structures laparoscopically, then closing the vaginal cuff via this approach as well. Before 2008, the only coding choices were laparoscopic-assisted hysterectomy codes (58550–58554) or the unlisted laparoscopic code 58578. The new codes—as with codes for any vaginal or laparoscopic approach—are selected based on 1) the documented weight of the uterus and 2) whether the fallopian tubes or ovaries have been removed.

Intraperitoneal tumors, coded by size

49203 Excision or destruction, open, intra-abdominal tumors, cysts or endometriomas, 1 or more peritoneal, mesenteric, or retroperitoneal primary or secondary tumors; largest tumor 5 cm diameter or less

49204 …largest tumor 5.1–10.0 cm diameter

49205 …largest tumor greater than 10.0 cm diameter

In 2007, documenting the removal of intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal tumors, cysts, and endometriomas via abdominal incision was fairly simple: There were two codes and you had only to decide if removal was extensive or not.

In 2008, codes 49200 and 49201 are deleted and replaced by three new codes—each of which requires you to document the size of the largest tumor or lesion removed.

The new codes will come in handy during surgery in which the originating organ has been removed but the patient is found to have additional tumors. For example: A patient had ovarian cancer and now there are additional tumors in the abdominal cavity, but an omentectomy is not being performed. Of course, the new codes can still be used for excision or destruction of cysts or endometriomas, as well. But CPT has also listed codes that cannot be billed with the new codes: Among them are 38770 [pelvic lymphadenectomy] and 58900–58960 [surgeries performed on the ovaries]. If the new codes don’t fit the surgery, the other option for tumor debulking after the organ has been removed is to report 58957 or 58958; note, however, that these codes include omentectomy and optional pelvic lymph node sampling.

Bladder aspiration is renumbered

51100 Aspiration of bladder; by needle

51101 …by trocar or intracatheter

51102 …with insertion of suprapubic catheter

If you have the old codes for bladder aspiration memorized, relearn them. Once again, CPT tinkered with placement of codes and decided that bladder aspiration codes are placed more appropriately under “Bladder, Removal” than “Bladder, Incision.” The uses of those codes are unchanged.

Giving flu, HPV vaccines

90661 Influenza virus vaccine, derived from cell cultures, subunit, preservative and antibiotic free, for intramuscular use

90662 Influenza virus vaccine, split virus, preservative free, enhanced immunogenicity via increased antigen content, for intramuscular use

90663 Influenza virus vaccine, pandemic formulation

90650 Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, types 16 and 18, bivalent, 3-dose schedule, for intramuscular use

Four new codes for vaccines can be reported beginning January 1, but only those for the influenza vaccine appear in the CPT 2008 book. The code for the new bivalent HPV vaccine is a valid code for 2008 but will not appear in print until CPT 2009.

Changes made to “modifier -51” exemptions

CPT 2008 also reassessed codes that have been designated as “modifier - 51 exempt.” Typically, these are codes that do not involve significant preoperative or postoperative work. 36660 [catheterization, umbilical artery, newborn, for diagnosis or therapy] now requires a modifier when performed with other procedures, whereas 51797 [voiding pressure studies (VP); intra-abdominal voiding pressure (AP) (rectal, gastric, intraperitoneal)] becomes an add-on code that does not take a modifier -51. Beginning January 1, 51797 can be billed only if 51795 [voiding pressure studies (VP); bladder voiding pressure, any technique] has also been reported.