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Can a diagnostic thoracoscopy be billed with a surgical thoracoscopy (vats) under certain circumstances

User DonGar
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2 Answers

4 votes
No:
A diagnostic thoracoscopy is always included in the surgical thoracoscopy (vats}
User Les Nightingill
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4 votes

Answer;

No:

A diagnostic thoracoscopy is always included in the surgical VATs

Step-by-step explanation;

VATs means Video assisted thoracic surgery.

Thoracoscopy is an endoscopical procedure completed on the lungs to visualize pleura, lungs and mediastinum using an endoscope

One thing to note is that a surgical thoracoscopy always includes a diagnostic thoracoscopy.

The diagnostic thoracoscopy codes are differentiated by the site and type of procedure performed.

User Michael Lafayette
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