Last Attempt CPC Questions

Modifier 50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended when a procedure is performed on both sides during the same session and the CPT® code is not inherently bilateral.

77066 is already defined as bilateral mammography

77065 is unilateral

75572 (CT heart) is not a bilateral procedure

73115 (MRI upper extremity joint) may be performed bilaterally and allows modifier 50

99464 = Attendance at delivery with initial stabilization

99465 is used when resuscitation is required

99460 is for normal newborn care after birth

The documentation describes making a skin incision off the tip of the twelfth rib and extending medially along the banger’s lines of the skin. The use of electrocautery to gain access through multiple layers of musculature and fascia indicates an open surgical approach. Open surgery involves making a large incision to expose and directly view the surgical site. This is distinct from percutaneous (which involves needles or catheters), laparoscopic (which uses small incisions and a camera), and other minimally invasive techniques.

AMA's CPT® Professional Edition, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II (current year)

1. Procedure and CPT® Code Selection:

The test ordered is a bile acid quantitation using an enzymatic method. This test measures the total bile acids in a patient with chronic hepatitis.

CPT® Code 82248 is specific for quantitation of bile acids, total, which is the correct code for a bile acid test using any method, including enzymatic.

2. Rationale for Excluding Other Options:

Code 82247 is used for the measurement of bilirubin, not bile acids, making it inappropriate for this test.

Code 82239 is for measuring an amino acid (gamma-glutamyl transferase), which is unrelated to bile acid quantitation.

Code 82252 is for a fecal bile acid screening, which is different from a quantitation of bile acids in serum or plasma.

3. AAPC and CPT® Coding Guidelines:

According to AAPC guidelines, 82248 should be selected for total bile acid quantitation regardless of the specific analytical method used.

Therefore, the correct answer is A. 82248.