Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Question: Would 30117 be correct for the following procedure: The papillomas in the left nasal vestibule are excised with bayonet forceps and the bases vigorously suctioned with the Frazier tip. The resulting ulcerated areas were then treated vigorously with silver nitrate with cessation of bleeding.

Also, would modifier -52 need to be added?

Arizona Subscriber

Answer: The descriptor for 30117 reads, excision or destruction, any method [including laser], intranasal lesion; internal approach, which appears to match the procedure described here, says Barbara Cobuzzi, MBA, CPC, CPC-H, an otolaryngology coding and reimbursement specialist and president of Cash Flow Solutions in Lakewood, N.J. Therefore, 30117 is correct.

Note that when coding 30117, any method, whether excision or destruction, may be used to remove the lesion. There is no reason to use modifier -52 (reduced services): All the components necessary to bill the procedure appear to have been fulfilled.