Billing and Coding: Screening Colonoscopy Converted to a Diagnostic and/or Therapeutic Colonoscopy

When a screening colonoscopy is converted during the procedure to a diagnostic or therapeutic colonoscopy due to encountered pathology, submit the appropriate diagnostic/therapeutic CPT code with the -PT modifier and an ICD-10 screening diagnosis (e.g., Z80.0). The claim should include correct CPT selection, the -PT modifier, and documentation/diagnosis indicating the original intent was screening and that an intervening pathology necessitated conversion.

"If a screening colonoscopy encounters pathology that necessitates intervention converting it to a diagnostic or therapeutic colonoscopy, bill using the appropriate diagnostic/therapeutic CPT code a..."

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