| July 2003 · Vol. 15, No. 7 REIMBURSEMENT ADVISER
Chemical cauterization of the cervixMELANIE
WITT,
RN, CPC, MAMs. Witt, former program manager in the Department of Coding and Nomenclature at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, is an independent coding and documentation consultant. Reimbursement Adviser reflects the most commonly accepted interpretations of CPT-4 and ICD-9CM coding. When in doubt on a coding or billing matter, check with your individual payer.
Q Our physician performed a chemical cauterization of the cervix for a patient with bleeding. I found a code for chemical cauterization of granulation tissue (17250) and one for cautery of cervix, electro or thermal (57510), but neither seems right. Do you have any suggestions?
A There is no specific code for chemical cautery of the cervix. This is because, normally, the procedure simply involves the application of a silver nitrate stick to the cervix, and does not require specialized equipment or expensive materials.
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