If a patient undergoes a diagnostic EGD procedure to check for sources of bleeding, which code is appropriate?

The appropriate code for a diagnostic EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) procedure conducted to investigate sources of bleeding is indeed 43235. This code specifically covers the diagnostic EGD, which includes the examination of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum using an endoscope, and it addresses the purpose of evaluating potential sources of gastrointestinal bleeding.

In the context of the other codes, they represent different scenarios or additional services. For instance, codes that indicate more complex procedures, such as those involving therapeutic actions or the use of additional techniques beyond a straightforward diagnostic examination, would not apply here. Therefore, 43235 appropriately signals that only the diagnostic aspect of the EGD is performed without additional interventional procedures. This clear designation of the procedure is crucial for accurate coding and billing within medical records.