Op Note:
5 Steps Cut the 'Complex' Out of Your Bilateral Neck Dissection With Thyroidectomy Claims
Published on Sat Nov 20, 2010
These two modifiers are must-haves when your physician performs custom tracheal resections. Otolaryngology coding can hold surprises. For example, suppose your surgeon plans to perform a bilateral neck dissection with thyroidectomy and trachea resection but ends up having to also perform plate stabilization for access to the lymph nodes in the superior mediastinum. You can overcome this challenge with a thorough review of the documentation and careful use of modifiers. Still need convincing? Consider the following op report, submitted to Otolaryngology Coding Alert by Julie Keene, CPC, CENTC, otolaryngology coding and reimbursement specialist with UC Health in Cincinnati, Ohio. After you review the op note, code the procedures before you check out our expert advice below. Preoperative diagnosis: Medullary carcinoma of the right lobe of the thyroid, stage T4-A, N1-B, M0. Procedure overview: Another ENT previously started a total thyroidectomy on this patient but found that the cancer was eroding [...]
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
