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Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Surgical Procedures:

'Daunting' Radiofrequency Ablation Treatment: Melt Away Your Coding Worries

Published on Wed May 18, 2011

Unlisted code 42299 remains your only option for LAUP.Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the turbinates may be the procedure of choice for some physicians, but one continuing concern remains for many ENT practices: "How should I code for radiofrequency ablation techniques for turbinates, for the palate (UPPP), and for the tongue base?" These 3-point ideas let you in on the lowdown: But first, an important reminder: Radiofrequency devices have two main purposes. Physicians may use them to ablate tissue or as actual cutting tools (e.g., for tonsillectomy). You should select CPT®s based on the precise manner that your physician used the device.1. Turn To 41530 For RFA, Base Of TongueYou could look at reporting 41530 (Submucosal ablation of the tongue base, radiofrequency, one or more sites, per session) if your otolaryngologist treats OSA. This CPT® replaced 0088T (Submucosal radiofrequency tissue volume reduction of tongue base, one or more sites, per session [...]
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