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Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

2 Codes Describe Airway Obstruction

Published on Sun Jan 02, 2005

Question: Could you please help me with an ICD-9 code for concha bullosa? I have been searching and can't find one. Any help you can give me would be great.


Washington Subscriber

  Answer: Diagnoses that support the otolaryngologist performed the resection (31240, Nasal/sinus endoscopy, surgical; with concha bullosa resection) for airway obstruction include:
  478.0 - Other diseases of respiratory system; hypertrophy of nasal turbinates
519.8 - Other diseases of respiratory system, not elsewhere classified. When an otolaryngologist performs the resection with an ethmoidectomy, the above ICD-9 codes will help bolster the case for separate 31240 payment. If, however, the otolaryngologist has to shrink the cyst to gain access to the septum or one of the sinus cavities, such as the ethmoid, the payer may bundle the resection into the ethmoidectomy (31255, Nasal/sinus endoscopy, surgical; with ethmoidectomy, total [anterior and posterior]).
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