Advanced Search

Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Preauricular Cyst Excision

Published on Sat Jan 01, 2000

Question: How would you code an excision of an infected preauricular cyst or sinus? Code 69700 (closure postauricular fistula, mastoid [separate procedure]) is only for a postauricular.

Anonymous Utah Subscriber

Answer: The preauricular area is on the side of the head just in front of the ear. When coding preauricular cyst or sinus removal, 69700 does not apply; nor does 69020 (drainage external auditory canal, abscess).

Instead, coders should look for excision and closure codes in CPT 2000s integumentary section. For a preauricular cyst, 1144x (excision, other benign lesion [unless listed elsewhere], face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane) should be billed (the exact code would be determined by the size of the excision), along with a layered closure (1205x, layer closure of wounds of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips and/or mucous membranes). Again, the specific code would depend on the size of the wound.
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