Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Find out what diagnoses go with what FESS procedures.Warning: If you can't keep track of where your surgeon is working, you could overlook separately codeable sinus procedures. To leave no dollars on the table, keep this anatomy sheet with CPT and ICD-9 crosswalk handy.Trace your otolaryngologist's work and capture functional endoscopic surgery (FESS) procedures and related nasal and concha bullosa work using this diagram.Test yourself: Do you see any codes you can add to this diagram? Here's a hint. The maxillary sinus, the frontal sinus, and the sphenoid sinus should have additions.To the maximillary sinus, you should add 31295 (Nasal/sinus endoscopy, surgical; with dilation of maxillary sinus ostium [e.g., balloon dilation], transnasal or via canine fossa).To the frontal sinus, you should add 31296 (...with dilation of frontal sinus ostium [e.g., balloon dilation]). To the sphenoid sinus, you should add 31297 (...with dilation of sphenoid sinus ostium [e.g., balloon dilation]). You [...]