Expert CPT coding guides, modifier explanations, RVU optimization, and ICD-10 tips — written by a practicing surgeon for surgeons, residents, PAs, and coders.
Complete coding guide for lap chole — with/without cholangiography, CBD exploration, modifiers, and ICD-10 pairing.
CPT Guide44950, 44960, 44970 — when to use each, modifier -22 for complicated, ICD-10 K35 series pairing.
CPT GuideOpen vs laparoscopic, initial vs recurrent, bilateral coding, and modifier usage for inguinal hernia repair.
CPT GuideDepth-based coding, add-on codes, size calculation, and when to use the 97597/97598 vs 11042 series.
CPT GuidePICC, IJ, subclavian, femoral — tunneled vs non-tunneled, age-based codes, and port placement coding.
CPT Guide19100-19307 series, sentinel lymph node, excisional vs incisional biopsy, partial vs total mastectomy coding.
CPT Guide10060, 10061, 10080, 10081 — perirectal vs superficial, when to code separately vs bundle.
CPT GuideWhat's included, pre-op E/M, post-op visits, return to OR modifiers, and how global periods affect billing.
CPT Guide44120, 44121, 44130, 44615 — obstruction, adhesiolysis, Meckel's, trauma, and anastomosis coding.
CPT GuideRight colectomy (44140, 44204), left colectomy, sigmoid (44143, 44208), total colectomy (44150, 44210) with wRVU comparison table.
CPT Guide44140-44160 series, laparoscopic codes, Hartmann's, total colectomy, ostomy creation and reversal.
CPT Guide43235-43259 EGD, 45378-45398 colonoscopy — diagnostic vs therapeutic, biopsy, polypectomy techniques.
CPT Guide49000-49002, organ repair, critical care time coding, trauma activation, and multiple procedure rules.
CPT Guide60220-60260 series, with/without neck dissection, parathyroid exploration, and nerve monitoring coding.
CPT Guide11400-11446 benign, 11600-11646 malignant — excision vs shave, margin measurement, and closure codes.
ModifierSignificant, separately identifiable E/M on same day as procedure — documentation requirements and denial prevention.
ModifierNCCI edits, when -59 is appropriate, the X{EPSU} modifiers, real examples, and bundling solutions.
ModifierE/M visit where decision for major surgery is made, 90-day global, vs modifier 25, documentation tips.
ModifierWhen to use increased procedural services, documentation requirements, operative note language, RVU impact.
ModifierMPPR rules, how payment is calculated, primary vs secondary, when NOT to use -51, exempt procedures.
ICD-10K35.2, K35.3, K35.80, K35.89 — with/without abscess, perforation, peritonitis, documentation tips.
ICD-10K80 cholelithiasis, K81 cholecystitis — acute vs chronic, with/without obstruction, documentation gaps.
ICD-10K40-K46 series — inguinal, ventral, umbilical, femoral with laterality, recurrence, obstruction, gangrene.
RVUHow wRVUs are calculated, conversion factor, PE and MP components, compensation benchmarking.
RVUTop 20 procedures by wRVU, time-to-RVU ratio, and coding tips to maximize your productivity.
RVUCommon missed charges, documentation tips, same-day E/M, critical care billing, teaching physician rules.
Use our free interactive decision tree to find the exact CPT code for your procedure — with modifiers, ICD-10 codes, and RVU values.
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