How To Use CPT Code 47562
CPT 47562 represents a laparoscopic cholecystectomy – a surgical procedure done to remove the gallbladder using advanced minimally invasive technique. This is predominantly used to address gallbladder disease conditions including gallstones or inflammation.
The official descriptor reads as follows: “Laparoscopy, surgical; cholecystectomy”.
Short description: Laparoscopic gallbladder removal.
Procedure for CPT Code 47562
After appropriate pre-op preparation and anesthesia, an incision is performed under the gallbladder. Some additional small incisions may be made based on the requirements for instrumentation. The surgeon inflates the abdomen with carbon dioxide, inserts a laparoscope and visualizes the gallbladder. Subsequently, surrounding structures of gallbladder are dissected, cystic artery and duct are clipped and gallbladder is carefully cut free from the liver bed. The resected gallbladder is irrigated with saline solution.
Once all procedural steps are accomplished, carbon dioxide is released, and instruments used during laparoscopy are withdrawn. Hemostasis is assured, and the incision is sutured for closure.
Qualifying circumstances CPT Code 47562
Potential patients eligible for CPT code 47562 services are diagnosed with gallbladder disease including gallstones, inflammation, or infection. The patient is recommended to undergo surgical treatment when conservative courses of therapies have failed to relieve symptoms or in case functional disturbance is noted due to obstruction of bile duct or pancreatitis.
When to use CPT Code 47562
It is appropriate to bill CPT code 47562 for completed laparoscopic cholecystectomy without conversion to open procedure during the treatment of gallbladder disease. If the laparoscopic procedure is converted to open, the respective open surgery CPT code should be used instead.
Documentation Requirements 47562
Supporting documentation for the billing of 47562 should include details of the patient’s gallbladder disease indicating necessity for the procedure, unsuccessful conservative management approaches, detailed description of surgical steps, any encountered complication during the procedure, and postoperative care instructions and follow-up plan provided to the patient.
Billing Guidelines CPT Code 47562
When billing CPT code 47562, ensure that the procedure is precisely documented and supported by the patient’s medical record. Also important is to avoid using this code in association with similar procedure codes such as open cholecystectomy or cholecystectomy with cholangiography. If the procedure is switched to an open surgery, the correct code for the open procedure should be billed.
Historical Information and Similar Codes to CPT Code 47562
CPT code 47562 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2000. There has been no update of the code since. Similar codes include CPT 47563, 47564, 47570, 47600 and 47605.
Examples of CPT Code 47562
Potential examples may include a 40-year-old female with recurrent biliary colic symptoms, a 55-year-old male dealing with gallbladder empyema, a 70-year-old male encountering gallbladder perforation, a 35-year-old female diagnosed with acute cholecystitis with unsuccessful conservative treatments, a 30-year-old female identified with Mirizzi syndrome, a 65-year-old female suffering from gallbladder gangrene, a 47-year-old male diagnosed with biliary dyskinesia, a 50-year-old male with gallbladder polyps and high risk for cancer, and a 45-year-old female symptomatic for gallstones, all undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, can be coded using CPT 47562.
