Wiki Cleft Lip Splint/Stent billing

[AlwaysLearningCoder]

Hello,
Please assist if you can. I am unfamiliar with the surgical procedure or billing for Cleft Lip repair 30460 in regards to the stent or splint that is used as well.
What would you bill for a replacment of the stent/splint after surgery? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Allana Fausett]

what is it being replaced with? Is it a nasal stent?

 

[kcap2210]

Cleft lip repair w/nasal splint

If this is an infant and it's the initial cleft lip repair, you would use 40700, 40701 or 40702 (based on unilateral, bilateral and if they spaced it as a 2 stage procedure). These cleft lip repairs close the open defect from the lip to the nose and include the use of nasal splints/stents and are usually in place until the post-op visit. Code 30460 refers to the nose, not the lip. If it's an older child and they are doing a tip rhinoplasty as the result of the cleft, then you would use that 30460 or 30462 (if septal work & osteotomies are also performed). Again, stents/splints would be included in this code.