Otolaryngology Coding Alert
Check What Procedure Pay Includes Before Billing Supplies
Question: We have been billing miscellaneous surgical supply code A4649 in addition to the CPT® code for submucosal resection of the inferior turbinate using radiofrequency ablation because we can’t find a code for the radiofrequency wand. We keep getting denials and aren’t sure why. How should this surgery be coded, and what is the HCPCS code for billing the coblation radiofrequency wand used in this procedure? Virginia Subscriber Answer: The most appropriate CPT® code for the procedure you described is 30802 (Ablation, soft tissue of inferior turbinates, unilateral or bilateral, any method (eg, electrocautery, radiofrequency ablation, or tissue volume reduction); intramural (ie, submucosal)). However, you cannot bill out the coblation radiofrequency wand in addition to the code for the service (30802). When performed in a facility, 30802 pays $208.07 (Medicare non-geographic adjustment), and the facility will supply the wand as part of the facility fees if it’s reimbursed. If the procedure is performed in the office, the non-facility fee is $285.67. The difference in those two fees ($77.06) is to pay for the costs the practice incurs in delivering the office-based procedure, which includes the radiofrequency wand.
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