On Demand: CT Surgery Coding Series 2: Coding Concepts for Lung Procedures-Webinar Slides

Webinar Slides

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This document is a MedAxiom coding training presentation on <strong>CT surgery coding for lung procedures</strong>, focusing on both <strong>open thoracotomy</strong> and <strong>video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)</strong>.

Key topics covered:
- <strong>Lung anatomy</strong> and <strong>thoracotomy incision</strong> basics
- Coding for <strong>empyema procedures</strong>, <strong>diagnostic biopsies</strong>, <strong>therapeutic wedge resections</strong>, <strong>open chest/lung procedures</strong>, <strong>lobectomies</strong>, <strong>segmentectomies</strong>, <strong>pneumonectomy</strong>, <strong>thoracic lymphadenectomy</strong>, and <strong>lung transplants</strong>
- Important coding rules and <strong>common modifiers</strong> such as <strong>50, RT/LT, 58, 78, 79, 59/X, 80/AS</strong>
- Definitions and coding for <strong>pleurodesis</strong>, <strong>decortication</strong>, <strong>intrapleural pneumolysis</strong>, <strong>bullae resection</strong>, <strong>pleurectomy</strong>, and <strong>pericardial/mediastinal VATS procedures</strong>
- <strong>Chest wall and bronchial repairs</strong>, including thoracoplasty and apical lung tumor resection

The presentation also includes several <strong>real-world case studies</strong> demonstrating how to assign CPT codes based on operative reports. Examples include:
- A <strong>completion pneumonectomy</strong> with chest wall reconstruction and thoracic lymphadenectomy
- A <strong>therapeutic wedge resection</strong>
- A <strong>partial decortication plus right middle lobectomy</strong>
- VATS cases involving <strong>lobectomy with lymph node dissection</strong>, <strong>bleb resection with pleurodesis</strong>, and <strong>evacuation of hemothorax with pleurodesis</strong>

Overall, the training emphasizes:
- Careful reading of operative details
- Recognizing when procedures are <strong>included</strong> in a primary code
- Applying modifiers correctly
- Differentiating between similar procedures such as <strong>diagnostic vs therapeutic wedge resection</strong>, <strong>decortication vs pneumolysis</strong>, and <strong>open vs VATS approaches</strong>

The document ends with standard coding disclaimers and contact information for questions.

Keywords

CT surgery coding

lung procedures

thoracotomy

VATS

lobectomy

pneumonectomy

pleurodesis

decortication

thoracic lymphadenectomy

CPT modifiers