Fecal Microbiota Transplant: Procedure And Coding Guidelines
Fecal transplantation is a procedure performed for patients suffering from recurrent infections by a type of bacteria called Clostridium difficile. The infection is spread through contact with surfaces contaminated by spores of the bacterium. The range of symptoms include diarrhea, pseudomembranous colitis, fever, nausea and abdominal pain.
In recent times, there has been an increased antibiotic resistance for C. difficile. Fecal bacteriotherapy or stool transplant is an emerging technique for treating patients suffering from such antibiotic resistance.
The procedure
Fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) involves transplantation of fecal microbiota collected from a healthy individual into the gut of patient. The donor’s stool sample is carefully screened and selected for transplant.
A close relative may prove to be suitable donor however, non relatives stool samples may also be effective.
Fresh stools are often used for preparation of an infusion. Once ready, the infusion is administered by means of enema using a colonoscope or through a nasogastric tube.
Indications for the therapy
• Clostridium difficile infection
Coding guidelines
For Medicare:
CPT code to be reported – G0455 – Preparation with instillation of fecal microbiota by any method, including assessment of donor specimen
(Medicare does not pay a separate fee for the installation of the microbiota by oro-nasogastric tube, enema, or by upper or lower endoscopy)
ICD-10 codes that can be reported:
Z20.9 – Contact with and (suspected) exposure to unspecified communicable disease
Z22.1 – Carrier of other intestinal infectious diseases
Z11.59 – Encounter for screening for other viral diseases
Z11.3 – Encounter for screening for infections with a predominantly sexual mode of transmission
Z11.2 – Encounter for screening for other bacterial diseases
Z11.0 – Encounter for screening for intestinal infectious diseases
Z11.8 – Encounter for screening for other infectious and parasitic diseases
Z11.9 – Encounter for screening for infectious and parasitic diseases, unspecified
For commercial payors:
44705 – Preparation of fecal microbiota for instillation, including assessment of donor specimen
44799 – Fecal instillation by oro-nasogastric tube or enema (This CPT code is used to indicate instillation).
Do not report 44705 in conjunction with 74283 (Therapeutic enema, contrast or air, for reduction of intussusception or other intraluminal obstruction (e.g., meconium ileus)
Have a coding question? Let me know in the comments below.
The information is presented for educational use only. It is not meant to be used to diagnose or treat any medical condition. We have made all reasonable efforts to ensure the information provided in this guide is accurate at the time of inclusion, however, please resort to clinical documentation and your experience to make decisions while coding and billing for procedures.
By Sandeep Paranjape, NextServices