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Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Fiberoptic Intubation

Published on Wed Dec 01, 1999

Question: What is the code for a fiberoptic intubation?

Dr. Brandeisky, DO
Toms River, NJ

Answer: The correct code is 31500 (intubation, endotracheal, emergency procedure), says Susan Callaway-Stradley, CPC, CCS-P, a coding consultant and educator from North Augusta, SC. This procedure most commonly is performed in the emergency room on patients who cant breathe. There is no special code available for the fiberoptic technology. If the patient requires an intubation in the course of a bronchoscopy (31622, bronchoscopy [rigid or flexible]; diagnostic, with or without cell washing [separate procedure]), only one procedurethe bronchoscopy because it is more comprehensive and would include the intubationshould be billed.
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