Advanced Search

ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

Reader Question:

Listen Carefully For How To Report Ear Blockage Removal

Published on Tue Sep 20, 2011

Question: Is irrigation of the ear canal included in the E/M or a separately billable procedure? Louisiana SubscriberAnswer: If only irrigation is performed, then it would be included in the E/M service. Use of code 69210 (Removal impacted cerumen [separate procedure], 1 or both ears), requires that the cerumen be impacted and removed using an otoscope and instruments such as wax curettes or suction. In the July 2005 CPT® Assistant, the AAO-HNS approved definition is offered stating that if any one or more of the following are present, cerumen should be considered to be impacted:Visual considerations: Cerumen impairs exam of clinically significant portions of the external auditory canal, tympanic membrane, or middle ear condition. Qualitative considerations: Extremely hard, dry, irritative cerumen causing symptoms such as pain, itching, hearing loss, etc. Inflammatory considerations: Associated with foul odor, infection, or dermatitis. Quantitative considerations: Obstructive, copious cerumen that cannot be removed without magnification [...]
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in your eNewsletter
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs*
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more
*CEUs available with select eNewsletters.

Other Articles in this issue of

ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

View All