Enterotomy, enterostomy, enterectomy, colotomy, colostomy or colectomy – not only is intestinal coding a tongue twister, it’s also a challenge to code and bill correctly. But don’t reach for the antacid – join Jan Rasmussen, a surgical coding guru, for this nuts-and-bolts session that will help you conquer your intestinal coding worries, including hints to:

• How the intestinal anatomy works, from the duodenum to the terminal ileum, from the cecum to the rectum. Understanding the anatomy brings you to the correct section of the CPT book and limits the number of codes you’ll need to choose from.
• Determine if a procedure (e.g., laparoscopic- or hand-assisted) is laparoscopic or open. That may be difficult when documentation states that “incision was extended, scope was removed,” because coders are trained to look at open procedures when they see the word “incision.”
• Bill for multiple intestinal procedures during the same session. Here’s a hint: Count the number of resections and anastomoses.
• Bill for a laparoscopic procedure that is immediately followed by an open procedure. Hint: Was the laparoscopic procedure diagnostic or therapeutic?
• Report intestinal and non-intestinal procedures performed during the same session. Hint: Check your CPT designations and CCI edits.

Sponsors:
CEUs:
Approved for 1.5 CEUs (ACS-GS, SCP-GS)	Approved for 1 CEU
Approved for 3 CEUs	This program has the prior approval of the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) for 1.5 continuing education hours. Granting of prior approval in no way constitutes endorsement by AAPC of the program content or the program sponsor.