Primary Care Coding Alert

The H61.2- family will have all your code choices. You know that certain requirements must be met before you can report removal of impacted cerumen, but don't overlook the associated diagnoses. Once ICD-10 goes into effect, you'll need to pay closer attention to physician documentation to ensure you report the service correctly. Get Familiar With the Causes Impacted cerumen (or wax in the ear) can affect both children and adults. The condition occurs when layers of wax within the ear canal build up to the point of blocking the canal and putting pressure on the eardrum. Cerumen is most likely to become impacted when it is pushed against the eardrum by objects people put in their ears, or when it is trapped against the eardrum by a hearing aid. Less common causes include an overproduction of earwax or an abnormally narrow ear canal that tends to trap the wax. Symptoms: [...]