Part B Coding Coach: Take An Advanced Peek At Two New Paracentesis Codes For 2012

CPT deletes intraperitoneal catheter insertion code.

Do you know what CPT changes will affect gastroenterology practices in 2012? Here's a hint: two peritoneocentesis codes will be missing in your CPT manual. Instead, you need to be ready to report new codes as replacements.

Replace Old Peritoneocentesis Codes With Three New Ones

The change will eliminate 49080 (Peritoneocentesis, abdominal paracentesis, or peritoneal lavage [diagnostic or therapeutic]; initial) and 49081 (...subsequent), and will replace them with three new codes:

• 49082 -- Abdominal paracentesis (diagnostic or therapeutic); without imaging guidance
• 49083 -- ...with imaging device
• 49084 -- Peritoneal lavage, including imaging guidance, when performed.

When fluid between abdominal structures in the abdomen accumulates, [...]

- Published on 2012-01-13