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AAPC Exam CPC Topic 1 Question 26 Discussion

Actual exam question for AAPC's CPC exam
Question #: 26
Topic #: 1
[All CPC Questions]

A 60-year-old male has three-vessel disease and supraventricular tachycardia which has been refractory to other management. He previously had pacemaker placement and stenting of LAD coronary artery stenosis, which has failed to solve the problem. He will undergo CABG with autologous saphenous vein and an extensive modified MAZE procedure to treat the tachycardia.

He is brought to the cardiac OR and placed in the supine position on the OR table. He is prepped and draped, and adequate endotracheal anesthesia is assured. A median sternotomy incision is made and cardiopulmonary bypass is initiated. The endoscope is used to harvest an adequate length of saphenous vein from his left leg. This is uneventful and bleeding is easily controlled. The vein graft is prepared and cut to the appropriate lengths for anastomosis. Two bypasses are performed: one to the circumflex and another to the obtuse marginal. The left internal mammary is then freed up and it is anastomosed to the ramus, the first diagonal, and the LAD. An extensive maze procedure is then performed and the patient is weaned from bypass. At this point, the sternum is closed with wires and the skin is reapproximated with staples. The patient tolerated the procedure without difficulty and was taken to the PACU.

Choose the procedure codes for this surgery.

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Suggested Answer: C

The procedure performed is a bilateral screening mammogram with computer-aided detection (CAD). CPT code 77067 is for bilateral screening mammography with CAD. ICD-10-CM code Z12.31 is for an encounter for screening mammogram for malignant neoplasm of the breast. Z80.3 is for a family history of malignant neoplasm of the breast. Therefore, the correct coding is 77067, Z12.31, Z80.3. Reference: CPT Professional Edition (current year), ICD-10-CM (current year).


Contribute your Thoughts:

Yuriko
27 days ago
Wait, so they used an endoscope to harvest the vein? I guess the surgeon was feeling a little... *maize*y that day.
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Annabelle
29 days ago
Ah, the joys of cardiac surgery coding. At least they didn't throw in a valve replacement or something to really make it interesting!
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King
2 months ago
I'm leaning towards option C, but I'm a little unsure about the 51 modifier on the last few codes. Maybe I should review the coding guidelines again just to be sure.
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Basilia
13 days ago
It's always good to review the coding guidelines to make sure you're using the correct modifiers. Better safe than sorry!
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Lashawn
19 days ago
Yes, you're right. The 51 modifier is important for indicating multiple procedures. It helps avoid billing errors.
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Paola
1 months ago
I think option C is correct. The 51 modifier is used to indicate multiple procedures were performed during the same session.
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Georgiann
2 months ago
Wow, this patient has really been through the ringer! A CABG, MAZE procedure, and all that - must have been a complex surgery. I hope the coding reflects the work the team put in.
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Essie
27 days ago
I agree, it must have been a challenging procedure to code for.
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Kristin
1 months ago
Wow, that sounds like a tough surgery. The team must have worked really hard.
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Tommy
1 months ago
A) 33533, 33257, 33519, 33508
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Royal
2 months ago
I'm not sure, but I think option B) 33535, 33259, 33519, 33508 could also be a possibility.
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Johanna
2 months ago
I agree with Tiffiny, those codes seem to match the procedure described.
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Tiffiny
2 months ago
I think the correct codes are A) 33533, 33257, 33519, 33508.
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Cheryl
2 months ago
The procedure codes seem correct, but I'm not sure about the 51 modifier on the last two codes. I'll have to double-check the guidelines on that.
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Michell
14 days ago
I'll double-check the guidelines just to be sure, but I think we're on the right track with using the 51 modifier.
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Rosalind
19 days ago
Yes, the 51 modifier is used to show that additional procedures were done beyond the primary one.
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Rebecka
25 days ago
That makes sense, I remember reading about that in the coding guidelines.
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Cassie
2 months ago
I think the 51 modifier is used to indicate multiple procedures were performed during the same session.
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