Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Question: I’ve not found any information about reimbursement for 31599. Considering that, what code do we report for flexible laryngoscopy with injection of medication (vocal cord via trans-oral or percutaneous)? Or is this code billed in conjunction with another procedural code?

Minnesota Subscriber

Answer: Your guess is correct; 31599 (Unlisted procedure, larynx) is the appropriate CPT^® code for the procedure you describe. There is no associated reimbursement because it is an “unlisted” code that can be reported for a wide variety of procedures. You include information with your claim to give the payer an idea of appropriate reimbursement.

Remember: In order to get this unlisted procedure reimbursed you need to submit the entire operative or procedure report on the CMS-1500 claim form to describe the nature, extent, and need for the procedure. A good code to use for reimbursement comparison purposes is 31570 (Laryngoscopy, direct, with injection into vocal cord[s], therapeutic) or 31576 (Laryngoscopy, flexible fiberoptic; with biopsy).