Reporting an omental sling procedure in a cancer patient

Q Which CPT code should I use for an omental sling procedure in a patient who was recently diagnosed with cervical cancer?

A I assume that, with the diagnosis of cervical cancer, the omental sling was performed to prevent radiation damage to the small bowel during treatment for the disease. Therefore, report code 44700 (exclusion of small intestine or native tissue, e.g., bladder or omentum, from pelvis by mesh or other prosthesis).

This article was written by Melanie Witt, RN, CPC, MA, former program manager in the Department of Coding and Nomenclature at ACOG. She is now an independent coding and documentation consultant. Her comments reflect the most commonly accepted interpretations of CPT-4 and ICD-9-CM coding. When in doubt on a coding or billing matter, check with your individual payer.

Q Which CPT code should I use for an omental sling procedure in a patient who was recently diagnosed with cervical cancer?

A I assume that, with the diagnosis of cervical cancer, the omental sling was performed to prevent radiation damage to the small bowel during treatment for the disease. Therefore, report code 44700 (exclusion of small intestine or native tissue, e.g., bladder or omentum, from pelvis by mesh or other prosthesis).

This article was written by Melanie Witt, RN, CPC, MA, former program manager in the Department of Coding and Nomenclature at ACOG. She is now an independent coding and documentation consultant. Her comments reflect the most commonly accepted interpretations of CPT-4 and ICD-9-CM coding. When in doubt on a coding or billing matter, check with your individual payer.

Q Which CPT code should I use for an omental sling procedure in a patient who was recently diagnosed with cervical cancer?

A I assume that, with the diagnosis of cervical cancer, the omental sling was performed to prevent radiation damage to the small bowel during treatment for the disease. Therefore, report code 44700 (exclusion of small intestine or native tissue, e.g., bladder or omentum, from pelvis by mesh or other prosthesis).

This article was written by Melanie Witt, RN, CPC, MA, former program manager in the Department of Coding and Nomenclature at ACOG. She is now an independent coding and documentation consultant. Her comments reflect the most commonly accepted interpretations of CPT-4 and ICD-9-CM coding. When in doubt on a coding or billing matter, check with your individual payer.