Otolaryngology Coding Alert
Fiberoptic Intubation
Dr. Brandeisky, DO
Toms River, NJ
Answer: The correct code is 31500 (intubation, endotracheal, emergency procedure), says Susan Callaway-Stradley, CPC, CCS-P, a coding consultant and educator from North Augusta, SC. This procedure most commonly is performed in the emergency room on patients who cant breathe. There is no special code available for the fiberoptic technology. If the patient requires an intubation in the course of a bronchoscopy (31622, bronchoscopy [rigid or flexible]; diagnostic, with or without cell washing [separate procedure]), only one procedurethe bronchoscopy because it is more comprehensive and would include the intubationshould be billed.
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Dr. Brandeisky, DO
Toms River, NJ
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