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Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Ear Exam Under Anesthesia

Published on Wed May 01, 2002

Question: The physician who originally placed the bilateral myringotomy tubes removed them in the operating room under general anesthesia. Since he only checked the ears (not the nose or throat), should I append 92502 with modifier -52? Arkansas Subscriber Answer: The descriptor for 92502 (Otolaryngologic examination under general anesthesia) does not state that the ear, nose and throat exam must be complete. You should report the otolaryngologic exam performed under general anesthesia as 92502 without appending modifier -52 (Reduced services).  
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