Practice Quiz

Medical Coding

Category - 40,000 Series

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A 12-year-old patient needs to have an appendectomy performed for acute appendicitis with rupture and subsequent generalized peritonitis. Unfortunately, he isn’t a candidate for laparoscopy and the surgeon will perform an open appendectomy. What CPT code should be used for this procedure?
  1. 44950
  2. 44955
  3. 44960
  4. 44970
Explanation
Answer: C - 44960 is correct because this is an open appendectomy for ruptured appendix with abscess or generalized peritonitis.

Code 44950 is incorrect because this is for an open appendectomy without abscess or peritonitis. Code 44955 is an “add-on” code and is incorrect because this is for an appendectomy when done at the time of another major procedure. Code 44970 is incorrect because this is a laparoscopic appendectomy
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