Otolaryngology Coding Alert

In many cases, you can collect for the multiple procedures Myth: Reporting postoperative endoscopic debridement will lead to denials and accusations of incorrect coding, so you should avoid using 31237 when your otolaryngologist performs a surgery that has more than a zero day global along with FESS surgery such as a septoplasty or a turbinectomy. Reality: You can report the debridement, the septoplasty, the turbinectomy, and the FESS -- if you know which modifiers to use, and which diagnoses are the most accurate. Determine Which Surgery the ENT Initially Performed An otolaryngologist may perform postoperative debridements (31237, Nasal/sinus endoscopy, surgical; with biopsy, polypectomy or debridement [separate procedure]) for sinusitis after functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS, 31254-31294), which may also include septoplasty (30520, Septoplasty or submucous resection, with or without cartilage scoring, contouring or replacement with graft) and/or turbinectomy (30130, Excision inferior turbinate, partial or complete, any method, or either 30130, Excision [...]