Otolaryngology Coding Alert

If your office tests for flu, here's how to maximize your reimbursement You probably don't have many patients coming to your office just because they have a cold or the flu. But many of them have problems -- such as sinus and ear infections -- that started with a cold or flu, so you should be on top of the relevant codes, especially this time of year. Flu Has a 4th Digit, May Require Additional Code The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses, but different viruses cause them, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says. Because these two types of illnesses have similar symptoms, your ENT may have a hard time differentiating between them based on symptoms alone. In general, the flu (487.x Influenza) is worse than a cold (460 Acute nasopharyngitis), and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common [...]