{"title":"Colorectal Billing, Coding, and Reimbursement: Understanding the Basics and Navigating Complexity","authors":"Kelly M. Tyler M.D. (Guest Editor)","doi":"10.1016/j.scrs.2025.101133","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scrs.2025.101133","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":55956,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in Colon and Rectal Surgery","volume":"36 4","pages":"Article 101133"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145658891","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Coding and reimbursement for unlisted anorectal and abdominal surgical procedures seminars in colon and rectal surgery","authors":"Lynn M. O’Connor , Joshua A. Waters","doi":"10.1016/j.scrs.2025.101137","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scrs.2025.101137","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The use of unlisted procedural codes in surgical billing poses risks of under-reimbursement or denial, especially in innovative fields like minimally invasive surgery. These codes are required when procedures lack specific CPT codes, often for new, experimental, or discontinued services. Proper documentation and preparation are crucial to secure reimbursement and reduce risks.</div><div>Unlisted codes should be compared to reference CPT codes to aid pricing and justification. Detailed documentation must include a description of the procedure, its complexity, necessity, and outcomes. This supports claims and ensures payer collaboration.</div><div>Reimbursement and RVU negotiations benefit from transparency regarding costs, resource demands, and historical data. Highlighting advanced technologies, specialized teams, or prolonged hospital stays can justify higher rates. For RVU-based models like Medicare, comparing complexity and resource use to reference codes is essential.</div><div>Preauthorization, appeals, and adherence to payer guidelines remain critical for success, ensuring fair compensation while reflecting the procedure’s true effort and value.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55956,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in Colon and Rectal Surgery","volume":"36 4","pages":"Article 101137"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145658895","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Corrigendum to “Advanced practice providers: An evolution of the scope of practice and clinical integration across the surgical healthcare landscape” [Seminars in Colon and Rectal Surgery Volume 35, issue 3 (2024) 101039]","authors":"Kelly M. Tyler MD","doi":"10.1016/j.scrs.2025.101132","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scrs.2025.101132","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":55956,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in Colon and Rectal Surgery","volume":"36 4","pages":"Article 101132"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145658898","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Benchmarking physician productivity: The modern reality of physician compensation","authors":"By Nicholas A. Davis , David E. Stein MD, MHCM","doi":"10.1016/j.scrs.2025.101138","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scrs.2025.101138","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Physician compensation models have evolved significantly over the past decades, with Relative Value Units (RVUs) becoming a central benchmark for productivity and remuneration. This paper explores the origins of RVUs, their application in physician compensation, and the consequences of productivity-driven pay structures. While RVU-based compensation can standardize productivity measurements, it can also incentivize volume over quality, potentially leading to physician burnout and unnecessary procedures. Alternative models from leading healthcare organizations such as Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Geisinger, and Intermountain Health demonstrate more balanced approaches that prioritize quality outcomes and physician satisfaction. Finally, we propose a structured framework for designing physician compensation models that integrate productivity with meaningful quality incentives. Through thoughtful implementation, healthcare systems can align physician compensation with both organizational goals and patient-centered care.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55956,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in Colon and Rectal Surgery","volume":"36 4","pages":"Article 101138"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145658896","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The American medical association current procedural technology and relative value update committee process: How surgical work is defined and valued","authors":"Eric G. Weiss , Brett P. Weiss","doi":"10.1016/j.scrs.2025.101134","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scrs.2025.101134","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>American healthcare policy requires a standard nomenclature(CPT) and valuation process(RUC). We review the makeup of both the CPT panel and advisory panel as well as the processes to create new CPT codes and edit current CPT codes as medical care and technology changes. We describe the RUC panel composition and the processes for determining the valuation of these new or edited CPT codes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55956,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in Colon and Rectal Surgery","volume":"36 4","pages":"Article 101134"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145658892","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Diagnosis related groups and hierarchical condition categories: what are they and why do they matter to surgeons?","authors":"Scott E. Regenbogen MD, MPH","doi":"10.1016/j.scrs.2025.101141","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scrs.2025.101141","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Surgeons are generally familiar with Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) coding for office and operative care, but have less awareness of billing and risk-adjustment around hospitalization and overall costs of care. Hospitals use Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRGs) to designate indications for and complexity of inpatient care. Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) receive global per capita according to algorithms defined by Hierarchical Condition Categories (HCCs) which estimate individuals’ costliness by defined disease states. An understanding of these coding systems and their uses will enable surgeons to properly document the complexity of care they provide patients within rapidly evolving reimbursement and quality assessment programs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55956,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in Colon and Rectal Surgery","volume":"36 4","pages":"Article 101141"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145658897","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Common procedural terminology code modifiers and G codes: Understanding their effect on reimbursement in colorectal surgical practice","authors":"Daniel R. Fish, Kelly M. Tyler","doi":"10.1016/j.scrs.2025.101135","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scrs.2025.101135","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The use of supplementary codes to adjust primary billing codes that describe surgical services are a source of potential deserved additional revenue. The American Medical Association (AMA) maintains the Current Procedural Technology (CPT®) set of codes which include “modifier” codes that are used in addition to primary procedure codes. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) maintains a set of G codes which are part of the Healthcare Common Procedural Coding System (HCPCS). Both sets of codes are complex, extensive and have requirements in appropriate use and documentation, but successful use can improve financial reflection of the full extent of the services provided in colorectal practice. This article explores both CPT® modifiers and G codes and provides the reader a summary of the most relevant codes along with their appropriate uses and tips for successful application in practice.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55956,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in Colon and Rectal Surgery","volume":"36 4","pages":"Article 101135"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145658893","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Coding complex open colorectal abdominal operations","authors":"Brendan Scully, Daniel Feingold","doi":"10.1016/j.scrs.2025.101136","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scrs.2025.101136","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Colon and rectal surgery is commonly performed by both general and colon and rectal surgeons. Guidelines around proper coding and reimbursing can be complicated and difficult to interpret for both surgeons and their coders. The goal of this paper is to review common Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes and the proper use of modifiers as they relate to complex open colorectal surgery and multi-disciplinary procedures to facilitate accurate coding.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55956,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in Colon and Rectal Surgery","volume":"36 4","pages":"Article 101136"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145658894","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Watch and wait in early onset rectal cancer patients: A review of the literature","authors":"Melissa K Drezdzon , Carrie Y Peterson","doi":"10.1016/j.scrs.2025.101117","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scrs.2025.101117","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Despite the general decline in rectal cancer<span> diagnoses, early onset rectal cancer (EORC) diagnoses are increasing. Meanwhile, Watch and Wait (WW) surveillance for patients with complete clinical response to neoadjuvant therapy is gaining popularity. While outcomes for WW are good, there may be hesitancy enrolling younger patients. This review aimed to evaluate literature examining WW in EORC patients.</span></div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div><span>A systematic literature review was conducted and full-text, peer-reviewed manuscripts were assessed for eligibility. A single study, “</span><em>Watch and Wait After a Clinical Complete Response in Rectal Cancer Patients Younger than 50 Years,”</em> by Bahadoer et al. (2021) was identified.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The study included 199 EORC patients followed for a mean of 3.2 years. Compared to older patients, EORC patients had higher overall survival, and similar rates of disease-free survival and local recurrence.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>The results of the identified study are encouraging, however, there is a paucity of data on WW in EORC patients, including not only clinical outcomes but surveillance compliance and barriers that might inform treatment decision-making. Decisions regarding WW in EORC patients should be made on an individual case after thorough discussion with patients.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55956,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in Colon and Rectal Surgery","volume":"36 3","pages":"Article 101117"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144828373","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Young onset colorectal cancer in hereditary syndromes","authors":"Thomas A. Sorrentino , B. Mark Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.scrs.2025.101121","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scrs.2025.101121","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, with rising concerns about its increased incidence in individuals under 50, termed young-onset CRC. Despite declines in CRC rates overall, young-onset CRC has risen by 1–3 % annually in the US and Europe. This rise is most pronounced in rectal cancer and is projected to result in significant growth in CRC cases among individuals aged 20–49 over the next decade. While most young-onset CRCs are sporadic, approximately 15 % of cases are linked to genetic syndromes. This review explores the genetic syndromes associated with young-onset CRC, distinguishing between polyposis and non-polyposis types, and discusses diagnostic strategies, management, and multidisciplinary care approaches essential for colorectal surgeons treating these patients.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55956,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in Colon and Rectal Surgery","volume":"36 3","pages":"Article 101121"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144828434","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}