Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Question: My otolaryngologist wants to report 92270 for saccadic testing during an electronystamography (ENG) procedure, but my coding co-worker says we can't report this code. What should I do?

Florida Subscriber

Answer: Your co-worker is correct. You should not report 92270 (Electro-oculography with interpretation and  report) with ENG testing (92541-92547, Vestibular functions test, with recording).

CPT guidelines state that providers should use 92270 to document a standard test of the retina's electrical potential when exposed to light for best vitelliform maculopathy Nowadays, an ENG employs the use of goggles. In the past, the ENG used to involve electrodes for which you could charge (+92547, Use of vertical electrodes [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure], x 8). You do not, however, have a code for goggle use.

This may change in the future, as the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) and American Speech-Hearing-Language Association (ASHA) are working on creating a goggle placement code. Keep reading  otolaryngology Coding Alert for more information.