Reader Question:
E/M Contains Nasal Packing Removal
Published on Tue Aug 02, 2011
Question: One of our physicians removed a balloon intranasal packing that was placed by another group. Would we bundle this removal into the E/M?New Mexico SubscriberAnswer: Yes. It is part of the E/M service. Option: If this service involves the removal of the nasal packing placed by the same physician during the performance of a treatment of a nasal bone fracture, the removal of the nasal packing is part of the 90-day global services. This means the removal is part of the initial service, and follows the same principle as a suture removal: if the same doctor placed the sutures, he cannot bill for the removal. Thus, if the doctor put in the nasal packing, he cannot bill for the removal.
