Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Know whether to go with LT, RT, 51, or 59 when reporting a bilateral dissection. You can gain $335 on your thyroidectomy and modified radical neck dissections (MRND) claims while coding appropriately if you've got the correct coding combo. Test your coding prowess with this case study. An otolaryngologist performs a thyroidectomy with central neck/limited neck dissection (level VI) and a bilateral MRND (levels I-V). • An outside coder recommended coding 60254 (Thyroidectomy, total or subtotal for malignancy; with radical neck dissection) and 38724-59 (Cervical lymphadenectomy [modified radical neck dissection]; Distinct procedural service). • The otolaryngologist thought the procedure should be coded 38724-50 (Bilateral procedure) and 60252-51 (Thyroidectomy, total or subtotal for malignancy; with limited neck dissection; Multiple procedures). The outside coder explained that in the first situation, the insurance company might decline to pay one of the 38724s since the payer was paying out a limited neck dissection with [...]