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Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Bilateral Endoscopy

Published on Mon Apr 01, 2002

Question: Can we bill 31237 bilaterally? We have been billing only unilaterally.

Florida Subscriber  
Answer: Yes. Diagnostic endoscopy codes (including 31237) and endoscopic sinus surgery codes can be billed with modifier -50 (Bilateral procedure) if both sinuses are scoped.  The only exception is endoscopy code 31231 (Nasal endoscopy, diagnostic, unilateral or bilateral [separate procedure]), because the code explicitly states unilateral or bilateral. It may be possible to retrieve some of the payment you have been losing by resubmitting the claims. Many carriers allow you to rebill procedures performed as far back as six months.
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