Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Question: One of our providers aspirated the excess fluid from an abscess that was within the nasal cavity. How should we report this procedure?

Codify Subscriber

Answer: You could report 30000 (Drainage abscess or hematoma, nasal, internal approach). In this procedure, the provider aspirates the excess fluid from within the nasal cavity, which may be due to an abscess or hematoma. The provider makes a small incision within the nasal mucosa over the abscess or hematoma, and suctions and flushes the fluid filled pocket with sterile saline. After he achieves hemostasis, he may secure a drain and then he closes the operative site in layers.

However, if the provider uses an external approach, report 10060 (Incision and drainage of abscess [eg, carbuncle, suppurative hidradenitis, cutaneous or subcutaneous abscess, cyst, furuncle, or paronychia]; simple or single) for a simple incision and drainage (I&D) of an abscess that is situated just

below the skin’s surface; or 10140 (Incision and drainage of hematoma, seroma or fluid collection) when the provider makes an incision into the hematoma, seroma, or other collection of fluids and bluntly penetrates it to allow fluid evacuation.

Each of these procedures carries a 10-day postoperative period, which means that all procedure-related care for 10 days after the procedure is not separately billable.