Colonoscopy

Definition

Colonoscopy is an endoscopic medical procedure that uses a long, flexible, lighted tubular instrument called a colonoscope to view the rectum and the entire inner lining of the colon (large intestine).

A colonoscopy is generally recommended when the patient complains of rectal bleeding, has a change in bowel habits, and/or has other unexplained abdominal symptoms. The test is frequently used to look for colorectal cancer, especially when polyps or tumor-like growths have been detected by a barium

Coding Faqs - Screening Colonoscopy Questions

1. How do I bill for a patient seen in our office prior to a screening colonoscopy with no GI symptoms and who is otherwise healthy? 
   
   A visit prior to a screening colonoscopy for a healthy patient is not billable. 
   
   
2. If a patient is referred to our office for a screening colonoscopy and the patient is on Coumadin, can we bill for the visit? 
   
   Yes. If the patient requires some intervention on the part of the gastroenterologist prior to the procedure, you can bill a New Patient or Established Patient visit, depending on whether the patient has received any face-to-face service by any provider of the same specialty in your office within the last three years. 
   
   
3. If a patient is scheduled for a screening colonoscopy and because of a poor prep the scope cannot be advanced beyond the splenic flexure, do I code the procedure as a flexible sigmoidoscopy?