Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Question: When our otolaryngologist performs nasal swell body (NSB) reduction on the nasal septal mucosa during the same session as inferior turbinate ablation, can we report code 30117 separately in addition to code 30801 or 30802?

Maryland Subscriber

Answer: Yes, in this case, you may report CPT^® code 30117 (Excision or destruction (eg, laser), intranasal lesion; internal approach) in conjunction with either code 30801 (Ablation, soft tissue of inferior turbinates, unilateral or bilateral, any method … superficial) or 30802 (… intramural (ie, submucosal)). It is appropriate to report the NSB reduction separately, as the destruction of nasal lesions is not inherent to either the superficial or intramural inferior turbinate ablation.

Additionally, neither code is subject to a National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) procedure-to-procedure (PTP) edit, so a provider can report both procedures together, and no modifier is necessary when billing for them.

Take note: If your provider also performs a septoplasty, coded with 30520 (Septoplasty or submucous resection, with or without cartilage scoring, contouring or replacement with graft) in addition to the excision/destruction to reduce the septal mucosal NSB, you should only code for the ablation (30801 or 30802) and the septoplasty. The procedure described in code 30117 would be inherent to code 30520 and, therefore, you would not report it separately.