How do you code robotic assisted procedures?

Robotic-assisted surgery is considered medically necessary for laparoscopic prostatectomy using the CPT code 55866. In all other surgeries, the use of robotics is at the discretion of the surgeon to determine the most appropriate technique.

What code does Medicare use for robotic surgery?

The Health Care Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code S2900 (Surgical techniques requiring use of robotic surgical system (list separately in addition to code for primary procedure)) describes a computer-aided tool used in performing a specific surgical procedure.

How much does a robot assisted surgery cost?

A single robot costs about $2 million. Some of the attachments that go on the arms are disposable. And robotic surgery generally costs anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000 more than traditional laparoscopic surgery. So is this the brave new world of medicine or an expensive, ineffective technology?

Is Robotic surgery profitable?

Robotic surgery was profitable in both fiscal years, with an operating income of $386,735 in FY10 and $822,996 in FY11. In FY10, urogynecology and pediatric surgery were the only nonprofitable subspecialties. In FY11, all subspecialties were profitable.

Is there a modifier for robotic surgery?

Use of Modifier 22 is not appropriate if the sole use of the modifier is to report and bill for the use of robotic assistance. Modifier 22 may be used to report unusual complications or complexities which occurred during the surgical procedure that are unrelated to the use of the robotic assistance system.

How many RVUs do you need for a robotic hysterectomy?

Obstetric & Gynecologic Payment

Why are robotic surgeries so expensive?

“Because robotic surgery increases operating room time, and there are other hospital expenses such as staff training, infrastructure upgrades, and marketing, this study’s estimate represents the lower bound for the total cost of this technology,” the authors explain.

What are the disadvantages of robotic surgery?

The only cons associated with robotic surgery are that of higher costs. The robot itself is expectedly very expensive with the cost of disposable supplies sending the cost of the procedure even higher. Many hospitals are doing feasibility studies to determine whether the huge expense is worthwhile.

How many hospitals use robotic surgery?

Findings In this cohort study of 169 404 patients in 73 hospitals, the use of robotic surgery for all general surgery procedures increased from 1.8% to 15.1% from 2012 to 2018.

What percentage of surgeries are robotic?

Dive Brief: Robot-assisted procedures accounted for 15.1% of all general surgeries in 2018, up from just 1.8% in 2012, according to a study published Friday in JAMA Network Open. Researchers analyzed clinical registry data for 169,404 patients from Jan.

How do you bill for robotic surgery?

The physician bills for the services 55866 (laparoscopy, surgical prostatectomy, retropubic radical, including nerve sparing), with the add-on code S2900 (indicating robotic assistance). Payment will be made only for the base procedure 55866.

Can you code cystoscopy with hysterectomy?

Cystoscopy was coded in 34.18% of hysterectomies with concomitant pelvic reconstructive surgery. Documentation of MUS was not associated with differences in cystoscopy coding (34.94% vs 34.11%; P¼. 52). pelvic reconstructive surgery had coding of cystoscopy.

Is there CPT code for robotic assisted sugery?

The procedure may sound exotic, but coding laparoscopic robotic-assisted surgery claims isn’t. The primary surgical procedure is laparoscopic and is covered by routine and customary laparoscopic CPT® and ICD-9-CM coding practices.

What is the ICD-9 code for robotic assistance?

According to CMS and HIPAA defined code-sets, coders must report the primary surgical procedure with the appropriate ICD-9-CM Volume 3 procedure code first followed by the appropriate procedure code for the robotic assistance.

When to use modifier 22 for robotic surgery?

S2900 Surgical techniques requiring use of robotic surgical system (list separately in addition to code for primary procedure). Coding Guidelines Use of Modifier 22 is not appropriate if the sole use of the modifier is to report and bill for the use of robotic assistance.

Can a robot be used for laparoscopic surgery?

The primary surgical procedure remains laparoscopic: You should not report unlisted procedure codes or modifier 22 Increased procedural services for robotic assistance (except perhaps, for instance, there is no existing laparoscopic code to describe a procedure).