Otolaryngology Coding Alert
Capture 31267 for Sinus Biopsy
Question: An otolaryngologist documented a procedure as: On the superbill, the surgeon coded 31256 and wrote as an extra procedure "maxillary sinoscopy." I think the otolaryngologist is correct not to bill 31267 Answer: The otolaryngologist actually does deserve credit for 31267 (Nasal/sinus endoscopy, surgical, with maxillary antrostomy; with removal of tissue from maxillary sinus). Because the surgeon takes a biopsy of the maxillary sinus and a biopsy involves taking tissue, the procedure qualifies as 31267. Code 31267 does not require complete tissue removal, just tissue removal. Answers to You Be the Coder and Reader Questions provided by Barbara J. Cobuzzi, CPC, CPC-H, CHBME, president of CRN Healthcare Solutions in Shrewsbury, N.J.; Victoria S. Jackson, CEO of Omni Management in Lake Forest, Calif.; and Charles F. Koopmann Jr., MD, MHSA, professor and associate chair at the University of Michigan's department of otolaryngology in Ann Arbor.
because he did not remove tissue. But how should I code the sinusoscopy?
Georgia Subscriber
When the otolaryngologist performs a maxillary antrostomy and doesn't remove any tissue, such as a biopsy or polyp, you should instead assign 31256 (Nasal/sinus endoscopy, surgical, with maxillary antrostomy).
On the other hand, you should not code the sinuscopy. Surgical endoscopy (such as 31256-31267) includes diagnostic endoscopy (for instance 31233, Nasal/sinus endoscopy, diagnostic with maxillary sinusoscopy [via inferior meatus or canine fossa puncture]).
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Capture 31267 for Sinus Biopsy
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