Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Question: The surgeon performed 30420 including cartilage grafts and an Alloderm graft. My understanding is that he cannot bill the cartilage graft if it is taken from within the nose because it is included with 30420. But can he bill the Alloderm graft? If so, what code is correct?

New Jersey Subscriber

Answer: You’re correct in saying that the work of 30420 (Rhinoplasty, primary; including major septal repair) includes a cartilage graft taken from the patient’s nose. You can bill separately for the Alloderm graft with supporting documentation. Submit 15275 (Application of skin substitute graft to face, scalp, eyelids, mouth, neck, ears, orbits, genitalia, hands, feet, and/or multiple digits, total wound surface area up to 100 sq cm; first 25 sq cm or less wound surface area) on the claim.