Wiki 42700 or 10160? for peritonsillar abscess

[wynonna]

From Note: Anesthesia I&D: lidocaine 1% with epi and other--topical Cetacaine
Technique: needle aspiration
Body of note: After PAR-Q was held for needle aspiration of peritonsillar abscess. Local anesthesia applied and 18 gauge spinal needle and 10 cc syringe were used to aspirate the peritonsillar abscess in the superior tonsil. 4 cc of foul-smelling purulent drainage was evacuated. Sent for cultures and sent for Gram stain.

42700 since heading mentions I&D? or 10160? for peritonsillar abscess

Thank you fellow ENT coders

 

[jackjones62]

Don't overthink this, use 42700, the provider still evacuated the abscess via a more non-invasive procedure. CPT 10160 is from the Integumentary system, skin etc... not appropriate for peritonsillar abscess. Unfortunately the ENT codes are lacking and have not been updated in quite some time.

Jennifer
Coding Analyst
(ENT 27 yrs)

 

[wynonna]

Thank you Jennifer. That's how I see it too.
Having some moments of self doubt and just need confirmation from other coders.

 

[wynonna]

Hi Jennifer
I'm impressed with your background. I've only been coding ENT for 2 years.
You've obviously spent a lot of time studying the guidelines for ENT.
How do you see ordering audiograms/tympanograms when our audiologists are billing for them? We all have the same tax ID--(minimal or no complexity or low level complexity?
How about risk associated with pt management for diagnostic testing or treatment?(minimal, or low risk)
thank you so much!