Otolaryngology Coding Alert
You Be the Coder:
Coding for Endoscopic Middle Turbinate Removal
Published on Wed Apr 15, 2015
Question: The otolaryngologist performed a middle turbinate removal endoscopically, which he indicated as a “nasopharyngeal polyp.” What procedure and diagnosis codes should we file?
Iowa Subscriber
Answer: Report the procedure with 31240 (Nasal/sinus endoscopy, surgical; with concha bullosa resection) and link it to diagnosis 471.0 (Polyp of nasal cavity). Once the diagnosis coding system changes to ICD-10, you’ll submit J33.0 (Polyp of nasal cavity).
Procedure: “Concha bullosa” refers to an air pocket in a turbinate bone of the nose. In this procedure, the provider inserts an endoscope into the nasal cavity to assist with concha bullosa removal.
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