Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Question: I am confused on the graft codes during tympanoplasty. I know the graft is included in the code but what if the surgeon takes two grafts? He used a temporalis fascia graft and a tragal cartilage graft. Are both included in the tympanoplasty code or can I code for one of them?

West Virginia Subscriber

Answer: Grafts during tympanoplasty are separately billable if they are taken from the contralateral ear or another separate site, other than the ear being repaired. It does not matter if the surgeon takes more than one graft. The measure as to whether a graft is coded and billed is whether the grafts are taken from the ear receiving the tympanoplasty or from a different site, other than the ear. Grafts from the ear being repaired are not separately coded.