Forum - Questions & Answers
May 10th, 2012 - broberts 5
laparoscopic to open
If the physician begins a procedure as laparoscopic then converts to open, should I bill it as laparoscopic or open?
May 10th, 2012 - koatsj 160
re: laparoscopic to open
You would bill it as an open procedure and add ICD-9 V64.41.
May 10th, 2012 - nmaguire 2,606
re: laparoscopic to open
According to Medicare: can only bill open procedure. But if laparoscope was a diagnostic procedure that determined need for an open procedure, then bill open procedure and then the lap with modifier -59.
May 10th, 2012 - youngblood 278
re: laparoscopic to open
Bill the open procedure and tack on ICD9 code V64.41 after the reason for surgery to tell them it was a conversion from lap.
