Otolaryngology Coding Alert
Steroid Injection Doesn't Require Modifier 52
Modifier 52 is unnecessary on steroid injection claims of 69801.
Otolaryngology Coding Alert's April 2005 "You Be the Coder: How to Bill a Steroid Injection" erroneously added the reduced service indicator (modifier 52) to 69801 (Labyrinthotomy, with or without cryosurgery including other nonexcisional destructive procedures or perfusion of vestibuloactive drugs [single or multiple perfusions]; transcanal) for a transtympanic injection.
The American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) does not support the application of modifier 52 with the steroid injection. Otolaryngology Coding Alert concurs with the Academy's recommendation.
But remember, 69801 contains a 90-day global period. Therefore, you should not bill subsequent injections during this time.
You should, however, report the drugs, such as gentamicin (J1580, Injection, Garamycin, gentamicin, up to 80 mg).
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Steroid Injection Doesn't Require Modifier 52
Report transtympanic injection as 69801
Modifier 52 is unnecessary on steroid injection claims of 69801.
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