Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Question: What code should you report for an endoscopic removal of floor nose mass?

Georgia Subscriber

Answer: You should report 31237 (Nasal/sinus endoscopy, surgical; with biopsy, polypectomy or debridement [separate procedure]).

Keep in mind: You can use this unilateral code when your otolaryngologist removes any identified lesions from the internal nasal cavity. The corresponding diagnosis allowed includes 212.0 (Benign neoplasm of nasal cavities).

 Answers to You Be the Coder and Reader Questions provided/ reviewed by Barbara J. Cobuzzi, MBA, CPC, CENTC, CPC-H, CPC-P, CPC-I, CHCC, president of CRN Healthcare Solutions, a coding and reimbursement consulting firm in Tinton Falls, N.J.