ASGE members may submit coding inquiries electronically to codingquestions@asge.org. When submitting a question, please allow at least three business days for a response. When submitting inquiries, please include the ASGE member’s name and ID number. Only questions will be accepted and not reports. Below is our featured Coding Question of the Month that could be beneficial to your practice.

Question

If a balloon sweep during an ERCP removes only sludge without stones, can we report Code 43264, or can we only report Code 43260 for the base ERCP?

Answer

You can use Code 43264 in billing. Sludge is an accumulation of tiny particles/material that requires removal.