Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Remember: If a Category III code exists, then you should forgo an unlisted code. You may just be digging in to your 2012 CPT® book, but the Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) has already taken aim at some of the new codes by bundling them into existing codes effective Jan. 1. Background: The CCI released version 18.0 at the end of 2012, revealing 15,530 new active pairs and 6,197 code pair deletions, said Frank D. Cohen, MPA, MBB, senior analyst with The Frank Cohen Group, LLC, in his analysis of the changes. Take a moment to learn how CCI affects your wound, bronchoscopy, and parathyroidectomy services. Here's the good news: Although you'll see a varied array of allowed modifier use, most of these edits reflect either CPT guidelines or common sense. 1. Count New EMG Code As Part Of 60500-60505 CCI 18.0 didn't overlook new code 95938 (Short-latency somatosensory evoked potential [...]