Forum - Questions & Answers
Lap appendectomy with lap I&D of ovarian cyst
A Surgeon performs surgical endoscopy to remove an appendix from a PT with severe abdominal pain. He discovers a perfectly healthy appendix however, and the real cause of pain seems to be a large cyst on the right ovary. He removes the healthy appendix anyway and does an I & D on the ovarian cyst, without excising it. This is all done laparoscopically. What is the correct coding for this surgery?
re: Lap appendectomy with lap I&D of ovarian cyst
CPT: 58805 and 44970
ICD: 620.2, 789.00
re: Lap appendectomy with lap I&D of ovarian cyst
Yes, but 58805 is not laparoscopic. I wonder if I need to use the unlisted lap code 58679, and use 58805 as a reference on line 19 on the CMS 1500 form?
Also, is 44970 warranted, if the surgeon initially suspects appendicitis, but documents of finding a perfectly healthy looking appendix, and does not mention a reason for removing it...so the reason seems prophylactic?
Thank you.