ASGE members may submit coding inquiries electronically to codingquestions@asge.org. When submitting a question, please allow at least three business days for a response. When submitting inquiries, please include the ASGE member’s name and ID number. Only questions will be accepted and no reports. Below is our featured Coding Question of the Month that could be beneficial to your practice.
Question: We had a patient who had numerous polyps snared during their screening colonoscopy, and the same doctor ended up taking them back into the procedure room a couple hours later for control of bleeding to one of the polypectomy sites. Can you advise what the best diagnosis code and/or modifier would be appropriate?
Answer: You would use modifier 78 (unplanned return to the operating or procedure room for a related procedure during the postoperative period). Your diagnosis for the second procedure should be K91.840 (postprocedural hemorrhage of a digestive system organ or structure following a digestive system procedure).