Do you still code for a procedure if it was part of it was performed?

My physician started a Robotic Operative laparoscopy with extensive lysis of adhesions; however due to some difficulties with the procedure due to patient's obesity the decision was made to abort the robotic procedure and proceed to an exploratory laparotomy.

I am having difficulties coding this procedure; any suggestions?

TIA,

Erica

Do you still code for a procedure if it was part of it was performed?

V64.41 is the code for closed procedure converted to open. When a laparoscopic procedure is converted to open, you would code the open first and then code the lap. with appropriate modifier per CPT® assistant.

Procedure

Medicare only pays for the procedure that was successfully completed. This is in the CCI policy. "If a procedure utilizing one approach fails and is converted to a procedure utilizing a different approach, only the successful procedure may be reported. For example, if a laparoscopic hysterectomy is converted to an open hysterectomy, only the open hysterectomy procedure code may be reported".