How To Use CPT Code 47001

CPT 47001 describes the procedure of liver biopsy when done for indicated purpose at the time of another major procedure. This article will cover the description, official description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 47001?

CPT 47001 is used to describe the procedure of liver biopsy when it is performed for a specific purpose during another major procedure. This code is used when a small tissue sample is removed from the liver to diagnose liver disease, assess the severity of a known liver disease, or monitor the progress of treatment. The liver biopsy is performed concurrently with another primary procedure.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 47001 is: ‘Biopsy of liver, needle; when done for indicated purpose at time of other major procedure (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure).’ This code is used when the provider performs a liver biopsy during another major procedure for a specific purpose.

3. Procedure

1. During another major procedure, the provider performs a liver biopsy for a specific purpose.
2. The provider removes a small tissue sample from the liver using a needle.
3. The tissue sample is then sent to the laboratory for examination.
4. The provider performs the liver biopsy concurrently with the other primary procedure.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 47001 is used when a liver biopsy is performed for a specific purpose during another major procedure. This procedure is commonly performed to diagnose liver disease, assess the severity of a known liver disease, or monitor the progress of treatment. The liver biopsy is performed concurrently with another primary procedure.

5. When to use CPT code 47001

CPT code 47001 should be used when a liver biopsy is performed for a specific purpose during another major procedure. It is important to note that this code should only be used when the liver biopsy is performed concurrently with the other primary procedure. If the liver biopsy is performed as a separate and distinct procedure, a different CPT code should be used.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT code 47001, the provider must document the following information:

• The specific purpose of the liver biopsy
• The other major procedure performed concurrently with the liver biopsy
• The date and time of the liver biopsy
• The method used to perform the liver biopsy (needle biopsy)
• The size of the tissue sample obtained
• The location from which the tissue sample was obtained
• The provider’s signature

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT code 47001, it is important to ensure that the liver biopsy is performed for a specific purpose during another major procedure. This code should be listed separately in addition to the code for the primary procedure. It is also important to follow any specific guidelines provided by the payer regarding the reporting of CPT code 47001.

8. Historical information

CPT code 47001 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1992. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A surgeon performs a liver biopsy during a major abdominal surgery to assess the severity of a known liver disease.
2. An interventional radiologist performs a liver biopsy during a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure to diagnose liver disease.
3. A gastroenterologist performs a liver biopsy during an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedure to monitor the progress of treatment for a liver disease.
4. A hepatologist performs a liver biopsy during a liver transplant surgery to assess the quality of the donor liver.
5. An oncologist performs a liver biopsy during a tumor resection surgery to determine the type and stage of liver cancer.
6. A hepatobiliary surgeon performs a liver biopsy during a laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedure to evaluate the presence of liver disease.
7. An interventional radiologist performs a liver biopsy during a radiofrequency ablation procedure to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment for liver tumors.
8. A hepatologist performs a liver biopsy during a percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) procedure to diagnose a biliary obstruction.
9. An interventional radiologist performs a liver biopsy during a hepatic artery embolization procedure to assess the response to treatment for liver tumors.
10. A gastroenterologist performs a liver biopsy during an endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) procedure to diagnose a liver mass.