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Canceled paracentesis
Date: Feb 9, 2012
Question:
Hi Dr Z, I work for a hospital and we have received some conflicting advice on how to code for a cancelled paracentesis. The pt is scheduled for an outpatient paracentesis and taken to the room. A limited ultrasound of the abdomen is done to see if there is enough fluid to perform a paracentesis. Due to limited fluid, the procedure is cancelled. Should we bill for the intended procedure - CPT 49083 with modifier 73 appended or just bill for a limited US with CPT 76705? Your help with this is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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