Diseases of the liver, gallbladder, biliary tree, and pancreas are studied, diagnosed, and treated by hepatology. To adequately describe medical procedures and services rendered by healthcare providers, medical coders employ Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes. We will go over some of the frequent CPT codes used in hepatology in depth in this article.
1. Liver Biopsy (CPT 47000)
A little sample of liver tissue is removed during a liver biopsy to be examined under a microscope. Usually, this method is used to identify liver conditions such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, and fatty liver disease. Percutaneous liver biopsy, which entails putting a needle into the skin and the liver to acquire a tissue sample, is reported using CPT code 47000.
2. Upper Endoscopy (CPT 43235)
Upper endoscopy lets physicians examine the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. This approach often diagnoses GERD, peptic ulcers, and Barrett’s esophagus. Upper endoscopy for diagnostic purposes is reported using CPT code 43235.
3. Esophageal Variceal Banding (CPT 43239)
Esophageal varices are fatten veins in the esophagus that can be fatal if they bleed and ruptured. Esophageal variceal banding is a treatment whereby little rubber bands are wrapped around the varices to stop bleeding. For reporting purposes, use CPT code 43239.
4. Liver Transplantation (CPT 47135)
Surgery to replace a damaged liver with a healthy liver from a donor is known as a liver transplant. Patients with advanced liver disease or liver cancer often only have this operation. A liver transplant is reported using CPT code 47135.
5. Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) (CPT 43260)
Upper endoscopy and X-ray imaging are combined during the ERCP procedure to assess the pancreatic and bile ducts. This method is frequently used to diagnose pancreatic cancer, bile duct strictures, and gallstones. An ERCP is reported using CPT code 43260.
6. Hepatitis C Treatment (CPT 96408)
A viral infection called hepatitis C can eventually harm the liver. Combinations of antiviral medicines are frequently used in treating hepatitis C to treat chronic hepatitis C, and non-interferon-based antiviral medication is reported using CPT code 96408.
7. Liver Function Tests (CPT 80048)
The amounts of specific enzymes and proteins produced by the liver in the blood are measured by various blood tests known as liver function tests. These tests can be used to detect liver disease and track its development. A complete metabolic panel that includes liver function tests is reported using CPT code 80048.
8. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (CPT 43239)
The esophagus, stomach, and duodenum are all examined for the upper digestive system during this diagnostic examination. To identify and treat symptoms and diseases that affect the esophagus, stomach, and upper intestine or duodenum, doctors employ upper GI endoscopy. Gastroesophageal reflux disease can be detected via upper GI endoscopy and many other disorders.
9. Colonoscopy (CPT 45378)
This diagnostic process is used to look for abnormalities or diseases in the colon. A camera-equipped flexible tube is inserted into the rectum.. Flexible proximal to splenic flexure colonoscopy for diagnostic purposes, with or without collection of specimens by brushing or washing, and with or without colon decompression (separate procedure).
10 Hepatobiliary imaging (CPT 78264)
Nuclear medicine imaging techniques, such as hepatobiliary imaging, examine the liver, gallbladder, and ducts that comprise the biliary system. This operation examines the liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts using ultrasonography, CT, or MRI.
11. Radiological supervision and interpretation (CPT 78472)
One or more physicians’ oversight of the radiologic element of a procedure and the interpretation of the results are referred to as radiologic supervision and performance (S&I) codes. When radiologists interpret and document imaging tests for hepatology, such as CT or ultrasound scans, they use this code.
12. Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement (CPT 76942)
This code is used when ultrasound is utilized to direct the insertion of a needle during a biopsy or other treatment. Ultrasonic needle placement guidance, or CPT 76942, is used for treatments such as biopsy, injection, aspiration, etc.
13. Injections, single or multiple trigger points, 1 or 2 muscle(s) (CPT 20552):
A trigger point is a painful region or knot in a muscle. Trigger point injection, or TPI, is a medical technique that injects an anesthetic or steroid chemical to relieve the trigger point. This code is used for muscle medicine injections, known as trigger point injections, intended to treat discomfort or alleviate pain.
A wide variety of illnesses affecting the pancreas, gallbladder, biliary tree, and liver are diagnosed and treated in hepatology. To appropriately depict the medical treatments and services provided by healthcare professionals, medical coders play a crucial role. Medical coders can ensure services are appropriately documented and reimbursed by knowing the specific CPT codes used in hepatology.