ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert
Reader Question:
Report E/M Code for Ear Wick
Published on Fri Jun 18, 2004
Question: What is the correct code for an ear-wick insertion?
Oklahoma Subscriber
Answer: Ear-wick insertion and removal does not warrant additional reporting beyond an evaluation and management code. If the physician performed only the insertion but no other procedure, the E/M service includes the work. CPT considers the insertion included in the procedure, not otherwise reportable.
-- Reader Questions and You Be The Coder reviewed by Michael Granovsky, MD, CPC, FACEP, vice president of Medical Reimbursement Systems in Stoneham, Mass.
Other Articles in this issue of
ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert
- Anesthesia Coding Knocking You Out?
Hit the ground running with these do's and don'ts on anesthesia billing in the ED [...] - Bone Up on Diagnosis Coding for Acute Chest Syndrome
Signs-and-symptoms coding holds key to solid claims If your ED physician diagnoses a sickle-cell patient [...] - Sickle-Cell Codes to Keep in Mind
When reporting services related to acute chest syndrome (ACS), refer to this quick list for [...] - News You Can Use:
CMS Offers No Breathing Room With ICD-9/HCPCS Transition
Elimination of grace period boxes you in to Oct.1 Set your calendars, practices: CMS isn't [...] - 6 Surefire Tips to Get Your Cerumen Removal Claims Paid
Why you'll get denied if you report 69210 more than once per episode With numerous [...] - Reader Question:
Coding Interpretation of X-Rays
Question: How should I report a scenario in which the physician did not take x-rays [...] - Reader Question:
Consider Added MDM for Young Patients
Question: A 9-month-old child with eyes swollen shut presents to the emergency department. The physician [...] - You Be the Coder:
What Counts as an Incision?
Question: The physician removed an embedded fish hook by cutting the barb with wire cutters [...] - News You Can Use:
Who Will Speak for Your Practice In the EMTALA Advisory Group?
CMS wants viewpoints from patient advocates, hospitals and physicians You could have a hand in [...] - Reader Question:
Check Place and State for Tumor Code
Question: The physician excised a 2.7-centimeter tumor on a 34-year-old male outpatient. How should I [...] - Reader Question:
Count Places, Not People, for ED Services
Question: How should I handle services rendered in the emergency department by non-emergency physicians, when [...] - Reader Question:
John Hancock Might Not Cut It for EKGs
Question: Our doctors are under the impression that since our electrocardiogram (EKG) machine generates a [...] - Reader Question:
Stick Your Neck Out for Correct ROS Choice
Question: Our doctors use the phrase "Neck is supple" all the time in their documentation. [...] - Reader Question:
Don't Let 2nd Service Wrap Into Global Care
Question: I received a denial from Medicare for a patient who had two hip dislocation [...] - Reader Question:
Report E/M Code for Ear Wick
Question: What is the correct code for an ear-wick insertion? Oklahoma Subscriber Answer: Ear-wick insertion [...]
View All
