Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Let your payer determine your bilateral modifier option. When your otolaryngologist performs a stapedotomy and inserts a bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA), the patient may return to your office for repairs and upgrades. Follow these steps to learn what codes you should apply,and prepare for tricky bilateral sessions. Step 1: Familiarize Yourself With Initial Procedures What happens: In a stapedotomy (69660-69662,Stapedectomy or stapedotomy ...), the otolaryngologistcreates a small hole in the fixed stapes footplace and inserts a tiny, piston-like prosthesis. BAHA (bone-anchored hearing aid) is most common. The BAHA is a direct bone-conduction hearing aid transmitted through a titanium implant, further to the cochlea and bypassing the middle ear. Physicians now prefer to use BAHA over air-conduction hearing aids, even though the efficacy of bilateral BAHAs remains debatable. The FDA cleared the bone-anchored hearing aid for: • individuals aged 5 years and older who have conductive or mixed hearing loss, and [...]