Otolaryngology Coding Alert

This ready-to-go form reduces your filing work

A good form letter that includes the Epley maneuver's purpose and description can work wonders in obtaining initial payment for 92700.

Try this one from Michelle Logsdon, CPC, CCS-P, at Falcon Practice Management in Bayville, N.J.:

Dear Claims Examiner:

Please consider this note as explanation for your use of CPT 92700, an unlisted procedure:

Canalith Repositioning Procedure (CRP)*

The canalith repositioning procedure (CRP) is a non-invasive series of sequential head maneuvers that is performed in order to remove debris (canalithiasis) from the posterior ear canal into the utricle, for the treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

Since the CRP is considered to be safe and effective treatment for BPPV (ICD-9 386.11), Medicare will cover this procedure for this condition. Use procedure code 92700 (Unlisted otorhinolaryngological service or procedure) to report CRP, and include the narrative canalith repositioning procedure (CRP). Claims for CRP reporting a diagnosis other than BPPV (386.11) will be denied.

If you have any further questions, please call. We thank you in advance for your prompt consideration and payment.

Sincerely,

[Insert name and title]

* Excerpt from Medicare Report, September 1998

Note: Adapt the above instructions to your carriers- directions. Some Medicare providers permit additional diagnoses for CRP. For instance, Pinnacle (Part B Medicare carrier for Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Rhode Island) allows 780.4 (Dizziness and giddiness, light-headedness, and vertigo NOS) as an allowable diagnosis for the performance of the Epley maneuver procedure.