Otolaryngology Coding Alert
42825 Sometimes Involves Suture
Question: An otolaryngologist performs a tonsillectomy and a primary closure of a tonsillar fossae. Should I bill for the closure or just the tonsillectomy? The diagnoses are chronic tonsillitis and sleep apnea. Texas Subscriber Answer: The otolaryngologist may opt to suture the tonsillar pillars after tonsillectomy or to leave them open for healing. Include the closure in the tonsillectomy code, such as 42825 (Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary; younger than age 12) with both ICD-9 codes for the diagnoses that you indicate -- 474.00 (Chronic tonsillitis) and 327.23 (Obstructive sleep apnea) Closure has typically not been part of the procedure, but reports are finding that closing the tonsillar fossa is a useful procedure to reduce postoperative pain.
Otolaryngology Coding Alert
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AAO-HNS confirms -traditional- service coding for this procedure Although alternative surgical CPT codes may tempt [...] - You Be the Coder:
Cyst Excision: 11440 or 40810?
Reviewed on May 12, 2015
Question: Which CPT code should I use for surgical [...] - Act as a Co-Surgery Team to Ensure 62.5% Payment
ENT's portion requires specification, individual documentation When your otolaryngologist works as a co-surgeon on a [...] - Test Your Thyroidectomy Dissection Coding Skills
Functional, selective, radical refer to the same procedure Nine codes and five terms can challenge [...] - Reader Questions:
Report Fungal Sinusitis With Combination of Codes
Question: Is there is a specific diagnosis code for fungal sinusitis?
Tennessee Subscriber Answer: Although looking [...] - Reader Questions:
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Question: The February 2007 Otolaryngology Coding Alert article on billing audiological diagnostic tests states that [...] - Reader Questions:
69310 vs. 69140: Look for Reconstruction
Question: An otolaryngologist performs a canaloplasty with osteoma excision to treat stenosis due to the [...] - Reader Questions:
Before Coding Replacement, Check POS
Question: What code should we use for replacing a Blom-Singer prosthesis?
Wyoming Subscriber
Answer: You may report [...] - Reader Questions:
Make Sure Note Shows Microdissection
Question: When an assistant surgeon does microdissection and the otolaryngologist performs a complete mastoidectomy, should [...] - Reader Questions:
42825 Sometimes Involves Suture
Question: An otolaryngologist performs a tonsillectomy and a primary closure of a tonsillar fossae. Should [...]
