Wiki Nose bleed

[Lainie0559]

The patient presents with a complaint of epistaxis, but has not had any bleeding for five days. The doctor does a nasal endoscopy, removes a crust, and cauterizes a small area with silver nitrate. Can I bill 31238? Or just 31231?

Thanks.

 

[TonyaMichelle]

I would use code 30901 (Control nasal hemorrhage, anterior, simple(limited cautery and/or packing) any method).

The reason I would use this code is that it captures the cautery and the method which is the endoscopy.
Also, the reason why I would not use code 31231 is because this is diagnostic only and does not include the cautery, nor would I use 31238 because this code reflects electrocautery which is different from using silver nitrate(Chemical cautery).

Hope this helps...

 

[Lainie0559]

Thank you!