CPC CPT Surgery: Digestive System 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which CPT code range covers surgical procedures performed on the esophagus?
- 40490-40799
- 43100-43499 (Correct answer)
- 44000-44799
- 42700-42999
Correct answer: 43100-43499
CPT codes 43100-43499 are designated for surgical procedures on the esophagus in the digestive system subsection.
Question 2: A patient undergoes a laparoscopic cholecystectomy without intraoperative cholangiography. Which CPT code is correct?
- 47600
- 47563
- 47562 (Correct answer)
- 47480
Correct answer: 47562
CPT 47562 represents laparoscopic cholecystectomy without cholangiography, while 47563 includes intraoperative cholangiography and 47600 is the open approach.
Question 3: A patient undergoes a flexible colonoscopy with biopsy of suspicious tissue. Which CPT code is most appropriate?
- 45378
- 45384
- 45380 (Correct answer)
- 45385
Correct answer: 45380
CPT 45380 is used for a flexible colonoscopy with biopsy (single or multiple), while 45378 is diagnostic only and 45384 involves polyp removal.
Question 4: Which CPT code represents a diagnostic upper GI endoscopy (EGD) without any additional therapeutic procedures?
- 43239
- 43235 (Correct answer)
- 43247
- 43200
Correct answer: 43235
CPT 43235 is the base code for a diagnostic EGD covering the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum/jejunum without additional interventions.
Question 5: A patient is taken to surgery emergently for a ruptured appendix with generalized peritonitis. Which CPT code represents this appendectomy?
- 44950
- 44970
- 44960 (Correct answer)
- 44900
Correct answer: 44960
CPT 44960 is specifically designated for appendectomy performed for a ruptured appendix with abscess or generalized peritonitis, reflecting greater complexity than a routine appendectomy (44950).
Question 6: A patient undergoes a hemorrhoidectomy. In which CPT code range would the appropriate code be found?
- 44000-44799
- 45000-45999
- 46000-46999 (Correct answer)
- 49000-49999
Correct answer: 46000-46999
Hemorrhoidectomy codes are found in the 46000-46999 range, which covers procedures on the anus including hemorrhoidal tissue.
Question 7: When a diagnostic colonoscopy is converted to an open colectomy during the same surgical session, how should the colonoscopy be reported?
- Report both procedures separately with standard codes
- Report only the colonoscopy with modifier -22
- Do not separately report the colonoscopy; report only the open colectomy (Correct answer)
- Report the colonoscopy with modifier -53
Correct answer: Do not separately report the colonoscopy; report only the open colectomy
When an endoscopic procedure is converted to an open procedure, only the open procedure is reported; the endoscopy is considered a component of the definitive surgical approach.
CPC CPT Surgery: Digestive System 1
Which CPT code range covers surgical procedures performed on the esophagus?