Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Hint: 'Functional,' 'selective,' 'radical' refer to the same procedure. When your physician does a thyroidectomy as well as a lymph node dissection, you should take a second look at your claim -- you may have a single code that covers both procedures. Avoid denials and save yourself precious time by taking this coding challenge. See if you have the skills necessary to submit these scenarios accurately. Reporting 60240-60271? Zero In on Descriptors When coding for thyroidectomy (60240-60271), keep a close eye on the code descriptors. "Many of them include all the procedures that the otolaryngologist performed, so you won't have to report additional codes for the auxiliary services," says Barbara J. Cobuzzi, MBA, CPC, CENTC, CPC-H, CPC-P, CPC-I, CHCC, president of CRN Healthcare Solutions, a coding and reimbursement consulting firm in Tinton Falls, N.J. Example 1: Your otolaryngologist removes both thyroid lobes with the isthmus and pyramid lobe tissue. He  also [...]