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Cerumen Removal
Is the microscope considered “instrumentation” for 69210?
Question:
Is the microscope considered “instrumentation” for 69210?
Answer:
No. The microscope is for visualization, magnification, and/or illumination. It is not an instrument used to remove cerumen as required for 69210. You must use and document an instrument such as suction, curette, right-angle hook, etc. to support using 69210.
*This response is based on the best information available as of 5/9/24.
Biopsy of Ear
What CPT code should I report for an excisional biopsy of the external ear?
Question:
What CPT code should I report for an excisional biopsy of the external ear?
Answer:
The correct code to use is 69100.
*This response is based on the best information available as of 4/25/24.
Post Operative Infection
What CPT code would I use for an I&D of a complicated postoperative wound infection?
Question:
What CPT code would I use for an I&D of a complicated postoperative wound infection?
Answer:
The correct CPT code is 10180 (Incision and drainage, complex postoperative wound infection).
*This response is based on the best information available as of 4/11/24.
Submucosal Repair with Lateral Wall Implants
What code do I use for a unilateral repair of a nasal valve collapse with submucosal wall implants on one side?
Question:
What code do I use for a unilateral repair of a nasal valve collapse with submucosal wall implants on one side?
Answer:
You would report CPT code 30468 (Repair of nasal valve collapse with subcutaneous/submucosal lateral wall implant(s)). You will need to append Modifier 52 (reduced services) to 30468 since the procedure was performed unilaterally, and CPT code 30468 is a bilateral procedure.
*This response is based on the best information available as of 3/28/24.
Thyroidectomy
I did a right thyroidectomy 10 days ago and used CPT code 60220. I sent the specimen for analysis. The pathology came back positive for thyroid cancer, and I had to perform a completion thyroidectomy on the left. How would I code this? Do I code the thyroidectomy code again 60220?
Question:
I did a right thyroidectomy 10 days ago and used CPT code 60220. I sent the specimen for analysis. The pathology came back positive for thyroid cancer, and I had to perform a completion thyroidectomy on the left. How would I code this? Do I code the thyroidectomy code again 60220?
Answer:
You could code a completion thyroidectomy CPT 60260 (thyroidectomy, removal of all remaining thyroid tissue following previous removal of a portion of thyroid). Ensure you also append Modifier 58 (staged or related procedure) since you are within the global 90-day period.
*This response is based on the best information available as of 3/14/24.
Tongue Lesion Excision
My physician always bills a glossectomy CPT code 41120 when removing a lesion from the tongue. Is this correct?
Question:
My physician always bills a glossectomy CPT code 41120 when removing a lesion from the tongue. Is this correct?
Answer:
No this is not correct. The glossectomy codes require the removal of a portion or all of the tongue. When a lesion is removed report a code from CPT 41112-41114.
*This response is based on the best information available as of 2/29/24.