Advanced Search

Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

General Anesthesia Procedure Includes 92502

Published on Tue Mar 02, 2004

Question: An otolaryngologist inserts a tube in the right ear and performs an exam under anesthesia (EUA) on the left ear. Should I bill for the EUA or only the tube?

Virginia Subscriber Answer: You should report only the tympanostomy (69436, Tympanostomy [requiring insertion of ventilating tube], general anesthesia), not the EUA (92502, Otolaryngologic examination under general anesthesia). In this instance, the EUA is a component of the tympanostomy. The tympanostomy includes general anesthesia. Further, the National Correct Coding Initiative bundles 92502 with 69433 (Tympanostomy [requiring insertion of ventilating tube], local or topical anesthesia) and 69436.
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:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in your eNewsletter
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs*
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more
*CEUs available with select eNewsletters.

Other Articles in this issue of

Otolaryngology Coding Alert

View All