Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Answer: There is no code for nasogastric intubations. These tube insertions are included in the appropriate esophagoscopy code, says Lee Eisenberg, MD, an otolaryngologist in Englewood, N.J., and a member of the American Medical Associations CPTs editorial panel and executive committee. If the otolaryngologist is consulted by another physician and performs a nasogastric tube insertion, the appropriate level consultation should be billed.

According to Eisenberg, the CPT panel has discussed a separate code for nasogastric insertion. At the present time, however, it does not appear a code will be developed.