Internal Medicine Coding Alert

Published on Mon Sep 07, 2009 PDF

Kris Cuddy, CPC, CIMC, independent consultant in DeWitt, Minn., says to also keep the following in mind when it comes to using (or not using) 69210 (Removal impacted cerumen [separate procedure], one or both ears):

1. There is no global period.

2. There are no separate professional or technical components.

3. There is separate facility and non-facility reimbursement.

4. Bill 69210 once only for either one or both ears. Modifier 50 (Bilateral procedure) will result in denials.

5. To bill an E/M service on the same day, the documentation must indicate that the E/M was either for a different service, or to examine complaints that find the cerumen impaction, or went above and beyond normal  reoperative and postoperative services included in the RVUs for 69210 (Check with Internal Medicine Coding Alert next month for E/M-25, 69210 coding do's and don'ts).