Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Key: If the physician performs an E/M with the removal, zero in on your diagnosis codes.Are you one of the many otolaryngology coders who have to fight payers when you're trying to report both an E/M service along with impacted cerumen removal? Help is here.Follow these five tips highlighting the ICD-9 codes and modifiers you need to make the difference between denial and deserved dollars.Otolaryngology coders often wonder whether they can report an E/M service when the physician performs impacted cerumen removal at the same visit. Although circumstances and documentation may justify reporting both the service and the procedure, insurers rarely pay both, so you should know when you can report them together, and when the services are bundled.Try these five strategies, which can help you recoup payment for performed and documented 99201-99215 (Office or other outpatient visit ...) services in addition to 69210 (Removal impacted cerumen [separate procedure], one [...]