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Anesthesia Coding Alert

YOU BE THE CODER ~ Ear Tube Removal and Insertion

Published on Wed Feb 21, 2007

Question: How should I code for anesthesia during removal and replacement of ear tubes? Would I code the removal and insertion separately?

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Answer: CPT Codes does not include a code for ear tube removal and replacement. Instead, base your anesthesia coding on procedure codes 69421 (Myringotomy including aspiration and/or eustachian tube inflation requiring general anesthesia) or 69436 (Tympanostomy [requiring insertion of ventilating tube], general anesthesia). 

Because you’re reporting the anesthesia service instead of the surgical procedure, you should submit only one anesthesia code for the procedure (although you’ll bill the total amount of time for both services). These codes both cross to anesthesia code 00126 (Anesthesia for procedures on external, middle, and inner ear including biopsy; tympanotomy), so that’s what you should submit.
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