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Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Case Studies:
Tackle This Tracheoesophageal Speech Prosthesis Op Report Head-On
Break down the report into its respective surgical components. Being a coder for an ear, ... Read more
CPT® Guidelines:
Refresh Your Knowledge of G0268, 69200 Coding Guidelines
See how cerumen removal coding changes when audiologists get involved. It's easy to get c... Read more
E/M Coding:
Acclimate Yourself With Telephone, Virtual Check-In E/M Services
Outline key differences between the CPT® codes and their HCPCS counterpart. Evaluation a... Read more
Reader Question:
Think Twice Before Appending Modifiers to Unlisted Codes
Question: Our physician is performing multiple procedures during a surgical encounter. One... Read more
Reader Question:
Know How to Document ROS Appropriately
Question: For an evaluation and management (E/M) visit, if the physician states ROS as not... Read more
Reader Question:
Think Twice Before Billing an E/M For Allergy Testing Results
Question: Following allergy testing, the physician meets with the patient to go over the r... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Look to NCCI When Pairing 69610 With 69436
Question: We've got a patient that was set to have a tube removal and replacement. After t... Read more
Proposed Rule:
See Financial Impact of CMS Proposed Rule for Nasal Endoscopies
Get the full “scope” of the situation here.  On August 14, 2019, the Centers for... Read more
Guidelines:
Equip Yourself With Some Essential Audiology TC, PC Guidelines
Begin by defining what constitutes each component of service. Similar to the world of oto... Read more
E/M Coding:
Use 3 Tips to Secure Full Reimbursement for Prolonged E/M Services
Know what to do when your provider goes above and beyond routine duties. Sometimes, you'l... Read more
Reader Question:
Consider Access Regions Beyond Just Nasal Endoscopies
Question: Can I include an impacted cerumen removal code when it's performed in addition t... Read more
Reader Question:
Use Provider's Discretion When Considering Chronic, Acute Conditions
Question: When should I code for an acute form of a condition as opposed to a chronic form... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Understand Full Meaning of Separate Procedure
Question: Our payer is stating that we cannot bill 31231 and 31237 together on the same da... Read more
Emerging Technology:
Learn the Coding Fundamentals for Vivaer Nasal Airway Remodeling
Get in on the ground floor of this exciting new technology. Physicians and researchers wi... Read more
CPT® 2020:
Check Out These Crucial CPT® Updates for 2020 CY
This year is all about code description revisions for ENT coders. From a coder's perspect... Read more
Reimbursement:
Consider Monetary Impact of Proposed Incident-To Policy Changes
This could profoundly affect your practice's bottom line. Practices that currently implem... Read more
Reader Question:
Consider Laterality Modifiers When Appealing 30901 Denial
Question: We've got a payer denying 30901-RT when submitted with a 99204-25. Is there any ... Read more
Reader Question:
Include Outfracture in Turbinate Reduction
Question: Following a septoplasty to remove a septal spur, the surgeon performed an inferi... Read more
Reader Question:
Use This Z Code for CPAP Intolerance Diagnoses
Question: What's the diagnosis code for CPAP intolerance? Answer: Continuous positive air... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Consider All Avenues When Working Dx Code Denials
Question: We've seen numerous denials on claims billed with J35.03 and J35.3. We checked t... Read more
ICD-10-CM Updates:
Make Way for This Brand-New Wave of ICD-10-CM 2020 Codes
Stay afloat by getting familiar with each respective code set now.  October 1, 2019 ... Read more
Clinical Consensus Statements:
Learn to Use AAO-HNS Clinical Consensus Statements to Your Advantage
Be prepared to fight any denial and support unlisted codes with this key resource. The Am... Read more
Compliance:
Practice Extreme Caution Utilizing Templates for Patient Visits
Stay informed and compliant to avoid this documentation pitfall.  The switch from pa... Read more
Reader Question:
Report 76998 for Intraoperative Thyroidectomy USs
Question: Should I report 76536 for ultrasound (US) guidance during a total thyroidectomy?... Read more
Reader Question:
Use This Guidance for Same Day Allergy Injection, E/M Services
Question: Can I bill for an evaluation and management (E/M) visit for an allergy evaluatio... Read more
Reader Question:
Don't Include Supply Billing with Rapid Rhino
Question: A patient came in to the clinic to have a rapid rhino placed? What's the CPT® c... Read more
Reader Question:
Check Bilateral Surgery Indicator for Bilateral Billing Questions
Question: Does CPT® code 31575 require laterality modifiers? Oklahoma Subscriber A... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Check Global Billing Policy for Postop Laryngoscopies
Question: A patient presents for a follow up visit two weeks following a total thyroi... Read more
Audiology:
Follow 6 Rules for Audiologic Function Test Coding
Start by knowing what's included in the E/M visit. Audiologic function testing is an impo... Read more
ICD-10-CM Coding:
Put Your ICD-10 ENT Coding Skills to the Test With 4 Examples
Channel your inner problem solver to simplify the coding process. ICD-10-CM coding for ot... Read more
Auditing:
Keep Your Practice in Check, Learn the Fundamentals of Self-Auditing
Follow these three steps to make auditing a smooth and efficient process. Self-audits, wh... Read more
Reader Question:
Include Nasal Packing Service in E/M Visit
Question: We have a patient who was treated at the emergency room (ER) for a nosebleed and... Read more
Reader Question:
Incorporate X{EPSU} Payer Decisions Into Practice Guidelines
Question: Which payers accept the X{EPSU} modifiers? I've heard that you should only repor... Read more
Reader Question:
Report 42700 with Modifier 52 for Failed Drainage
Question: We had a patient come in for a peritonsillar abscess. The physician performed an... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Discern Between 92597, 31611 for Trachea Voice Prosthesis
Question: What CPT® code should I report for the placement of  trachea voice prosthe... Read more
CPT® Coding:
Break Down Your 92502 Reporting With This Coder's Guide
Stay on track by utilizing all the resources at your disposal. Sometimes, a patient will ... Read more
Surgery Guidelines:
Learn the Mohs Ropes With This Set of Guidelines
Sift between CPT®, NCCI instruction to get it down right. Mohs surgery is a common and e... Read more
ICD-10-CM Coding:
Get a Head Start on Allergy Coding Season With These Tips
Keep a close eye on your Excludes1 notes. Allergy coding isn't too challenging a task to ... Read more
Reader Question:
Check Bilateral Surgery Indicator Before Appending Modifier 50
Question: We are receiving denials for code 31298 due to an incorrect modifier. Do I need ... Read more
Reader Question:
Keep These Coding Resources in Your Back Pocket
Question: What are some good coding resources outside of the CPT® and ICD-10-CM manuals? ... Read more
Reader Question:
Know When to Report Separate E/M Following Allergy Testing
Question: Our provider wants to bill a separate E/M when going over the results and treatm... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Know CMS Bundling, Modifier Policies for 69210
Question: I'm getting denials from nearly all carriers when billing out for 69210. These a... Read more
CPT® Case Study:
Coding Challenge: Try Out This Thyroid, Parathyroid Surgical Example
Use every resource at your disposal to reach the correct set of codes. Any weathered surg... Read more
ICD-10-CM:
Take Your Follow-up, Aftercare Coding to the Next Level With This Guide
Use two ENT-specific examples to help drill the point home. Follow-up and aftercare are i... Read more
Myths:
Boost Your Skills, Bust These 3 PFT Coding Myths
Know when to give bundling edits special consideration. Pulmonary function testing (PFT) ... Read more
Reader Question:
Make Proper Distinctions Between 30801, 30802, 30130, and 30140
Question: What's the difference between 30801, 30802, 30130 and 30140? Iowa Subscriber A... Read more
Reader Question:
Check Code's LCD, ICD-10-CM Crosswalk to Avoid Denials
Question: We received a denial for code 92511 for due to an incorrect diagnosis code. The ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Think Outside the Box for Implanted Screw of Mouth Removal
Question: I could use help working on a foreign body removal (FBR) operative report. The s... Read more
MIPS:
Stay Current, Compliant With 2019 MIPS Otolaryngology Measures
Plus, don't let Specialty Measure Set limit your physician's maximum payment adjustment. ... Read more
E/M 2021:
Tune in to These Game-Changing 2021 E/M Policy Revision Proposals
See what kind of shift is in store from the 1995/1997 guidelines. As 2021 approaches, the... Read more
Compliance:
Use 4 Tips for Compliant SNF Patient Reporting
Hint: Use an agreement resembling that of an ABN. Your otolaryngology practice might come... Read more
Reader Question:
Use Discretion for Principal Diagnosis Without Definitive Condition
Question: I am working on a chart where the patient presents with shortness of breath and ... Read more
Reader Question:
Report 1 Code for COPD, Bronchiectasis Dx Combo
Question: What is the ICD-10-CM code to report for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (... Read more
Reader Question:
Use This Criteria for Tissue Removal in 31267 Reporting
Question: I'm coding a maxillary antrostomy. The doctor documents a small amount of tissue... Read more
Reader Question:
Note Differences, Similarities Between Myringoplasty, Tympanoplasty
Question: What's the difference between a tympanoplasty and a myringoplasty? I was under t... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Know When Septal Spur Excision Qualifies as 30520
Question: I'm working on a functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) involving a left max... Read more
E/M Coding:
Avoid This Misconception Surrounding Modifier 25, New Patients
Rely on these specific guidelines from the Global Surgery Booklet. In Volume 21, Issue 3 ... Read more
CPT® Case Studies:
Empower Your UPPP, Pharyngoplasty Coding Skills Using 2 Examples
Find out what does and does not warrant the use of code 42950. There are plenty of variab... Read more
Telemedicine:
Break Down These Fundamental Points on Telemedicine Coding
Discern between telemedicine and telehealth with some key indicators. Telemedicine is qui... Read more
Reader Question:
Do Not Report 30115 for In-Office Procedures
Question: The surgeon performs an extensive bilateral removal of nasal polyps in the ... Read more
Reader Question:
Never Assume RDS With Acute Respiratory Distress Diagnoses
Question: What diagnosis codes should I report for a 32-year-old woman with acute respirat... Read more
Reader Question:
Code Reflux as Primary Dx Reflux Laryngopharyngitis
Question: What diagnosis code should I use to report reflux laryngopharyngitis? Tennessee... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Correctly Code This Frontal Sinus and Sphenoid Sinus Balloon Dilation Example
Question: How do I code a bilateral frontal sinus balloon dilation and a left sphenoid sin... Read more
Guidelines:
Bank on This Definitive Coder's Guide to Cerumen Removal
Never second-guess a cerumen removal chart again. As an otolaryngology coder, you're prob... Read more
E/M:
Get on Board With 2021 E/M Proposed Reimbursement Changes
See what changes CMS has in store for E/M reporting and reimbursement. As you've been exp... Read more
CPT® Coding:
Learn the Fundamentals of the New Skin Biopsy Code Set
Technique documentation leads code choice. As you make your way through the plethora of c... Read more
Reader Question:
Don't Force Separate E/M Charge for All New Patients
Question: I have a new patient present with impacted cerumen removal. Since this patient i... Read more
Reader Question:
Make Sure Follow-Up Chief Complaints Are Specific
Question: Our otolaryngologist lists the chief complaint (CC) for all follow-up visit... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Consider Global Periods, Relatedness for Postop Debridement Services
Question: The provider performed a debridement endoscopy (31237) at a one-month check-up v... Read more
CPT® Case Study:
Tackle Each Coding Step of This Challenging ENT Surgical Report
The answer begins and ends with a strong anatomical knowledge foundation. Sometimes, the ... Read more
CMS Final Rule:
Note These Important 2019 MPFS Final Rule Changes on Documentation
See what changes will help streamline your documentation processes. The Medicare Physicia... Read more
ICD-10-CM Coding:
Know When, How, and Where to Report External Cause Codes With This Guide
Use this plethora of expert feedback to help drill the point home. A provider of any spec... Read more
Reader Question:
Avoid HCPCS C Codes Outside of OPPS Billing
Question: I have a doctor that performed a “placement of bilateral Latera implants for v... Read more
Reader Question:
Double-Check Your Encoders for Accurate NCCI Edit Information
Question: Our encoder shows that it is OK to bill cerumen impaction removal (69210) and a ... Read more
Reader Question:
Know When, When Not to, Include Supplementary Diagnoses
Question: The provider states that she removed pus debris under a microscope for a patient... Read more
You Be the Coder:
When in Doubt, Check Code's Clinical Responsibility
Question: My physician is suggesting that we report code 30117 for the removal of a nasoph... Read more
2019 HCPCS Codes:
Clear the Way for This Essential Set of 2019 ENT Codes
Distinguish between these two types of hearing aid devices. Effective January 1, 2019, HC... Read more
2019 ICD-10-CM:
Get Acclimated With This Second Round of 2019 Guideline Updates
Catch up on changes to malignancy coding, drug use in pregnancy, and more. New coders oft... Read more
Documentation:
Understand Crucial Link Between Documentation and Medical Necessity
Plus, know when to count prescriptions toward MDM. If thoughts of claim denials keep you ... Read more
Reader Question:
Consider Cat III Codes With Placement of Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulator
Question: What's the CPT® code for the placement of a hypoglossal nerve stimulator? I can... Read more
Reader Question:
Note Circumstances of Postop Pain Before Determining Dx Code
Question: A patient is seen by the physician two days following an ethmoidectomy. The pati... Read more
Reader Question:
Know How to Sequence Complication, Condition Codes Properly
Question: How should I code a diagnosis of chronic nasal bleeding following sinus surgery?... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Think Twice Before Reporting Middle Turbinate Resection With Some Endoscopic Services
Question: Can I report a middle turbinate resection in addition to an endoscopic polypecto... Read more
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