Wiki 69436 & 92502

[hthr.santos]

This seems like a simply question but I'm still second guessing myself. If the provider inserts an ear tube in the right ear under anesthesia and then examines the left ear, would it be coded as 69436-RT 92502-59-LT (or a X modifier depending on the payor).

TIA

 

[b.cobuzzi]

92502 is a bilateral oto exam under anesthesia. I would think that examining the countralateral side is just a quick quality action performed by the surgeon and it would not be billed separately since the surgeon is being paid to put the ear tube in under anesthesia.