Changing Procedure Codes

Changing Procedure Codes on an Existing Operation Description

Sometimes, you may need to change a CPT code. However, you don't want to lose the associated operation description. In this case, you can change the CPT code directly on the "Edit Note" screen.

Let's try this with an example. Let's say the surgeon entered a laparoscopic cholecystectomy as the standard 47562, but actually did explore the common bile duct, so could have coded it as 47564. The operation description is accurate and we do not want to lose the surgeon's work. To do this, we can use the "change" link on the "Edit Note" screen.

Note: don't change the procedure on the "Procedures" screen if you want to keep the existing operation description.

1. First, on the "Edit Note" screen, find the procedure that you want to change and click the "change" link. This will bring up the CPT chooser on the right side of the screen.
2. Search for the desired CPT code using the code or the text description. 
3. When you find the desired code, click on it, and it will update and replace the existing code. Notice that the existing operation description is still there!