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(EndoGastric) and MUSE (Medigus) procedures. In both procedures, the stomach is accessed via the mouth with specialized instruments used in conjunction with flexible endoscopes. The new tools let gas- troenterologists and surgeons reconstruct the gastroesophageal valve and reestablish a barrier to reflux. The procedures, which are done under general anesthesia, are incision-less and quick, and have been FDA approved for years. But payer acceptance of new procedures tends to be anything but quick. "Some payers consider it investigational, even though the devices have FDA approval," says Ms. Mueller. "They've been out for several years, but it's still not considered a traditional repair. Some are going to cover it, because there's much less expense doing it endoscopically, ver- sus doing a lap or an open procedure." So while a new CPT code is no guarantee, it's a big step in the right direction for companies pushing treatments that could become sta- ples at outpatient facilities. "There was really no way to bill this before," says practice management consultant Elizabeth Woodcock, MBA, FACMPE, CPC, of Woodcock & Associates in Atlanta. "Physicians could report it using an unlisted code and have billers send in the medical record to try to justify the procedure. But when a code doesn't exist, it's impossible to get paid on the first go-round, and you have only about a 50-50 shot of getting paid even after you've explained your work." The new code is likely to speed acceptance, says Robin McLendon, CPC, CPMA, coding compliance manager at Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates. "Whenever there's new technology, it seems like there are just a handful of physicians who will do it," she says, "but eventually others start to adopt it." "If I were having this surgery, I'd rather have it done endoscopically as an outpatient," adds Ms. Mueller. "Unfortunately, you just don't see 1 3 4 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 6