Fascia Lata Graft Denials

Question:

We routinely bill 69631 (tympanoplasty) and 20922 (temporalis fascia graft).  We’ve been paid but now we’re being asked to give money back.  Can you help?

Answer:

A thigh fascia lata graft was not harvested to support 20922.  Rather, if a temporalis fascia graft is harvested through a separate skin incision then you may separately report 20926 (tissue graft).  However, if the tympanoplasty is performed via post-auricular incision then 20926 is not separately reported for the temporalis fascia graft since it is considered a “local” graft.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 2/14/19.