Author Question: Sally Smith is a coder for Sunny Side Associates in Thoracic Surgery. She reviewed the operative ... (Read 63 times)

NguyenJ

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 516
Sally Smith is a coder for Sunny Side Associates in Thoracic Surgery. She reviewed the operative report from a procedure that was completed in the mediastinum by Dr. Zon. Sally feels that none of the CPT codes fully describes the procedure that was completed. State what she should do.

Question 2

Explain briefly how a cervical mediastinotomy is completed.



Sassygurl126

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 320
Answer to Question 1

Sally should contact Dr. Zon and review the procedure that was completed to determine if a CPT code can be used. If none of the codes fully describes the procedure performed, then she should report code 39499, unlisted procedure of the mediastinum.

Answer to Question 2

An incision is made in the front of the body above the mediastinum to expose the mediastinum. The area is then sutured closed after work in the mediastinum is completed.



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
 

Did you know?

Famous people who died from poisoning or drug overdose include, Adolf Hitler, Socrates, Juan Ponce de Leon, Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland, and John Belushi.

Did you know?

Although the Roman numeral for the number 4 has always been taught to have been "IV," according to historians, the ancient Romans probably used "IIII" most of the time. This is partially backed up by the fact that early grandfather clocks displayed IIII for the number 4 instead of IV. Early clockmakers apparently thought that the IIII balanced out the VIII (used for the number 8) on the clock face and that it just looked better.

Did you know?

More than 2,500 barbiturates have been synthesized. At the height of their popularity, about 50 were marketed for human use.

Did you know?

For high blood pressure (hypertension), a new class of drug, called a vasopeptidase blocker (inhibitor), has been developed. It decreases blood pressure by simultaneously dilating the peripheral arteries and increasing the body's loss of salt.

Did you know?

The modern decimal position system was the invention of the Hindus (around 800 AD), involving the placing of numerals to indicate their value (units, tens, hundreds, and so on).

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library