Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Question: I have a question about Gentamicin injections. Do you bill the full vial amount the first time, or bill the amount injected each time the patient comes in? This is being billed with 69801, which I know has a 90 day global, and I can't bill during the global, but how do I code the drug? Utah Subscriber Answer: Because 69801 (Labyrinthotomy, with or without cryosurgery including other nonexcisional destructive procedures or perfusion of vestibuloactive drugs [single or multiple perfusions]; transcanal) has a 90-day global period, all three injections are included in the billing of 69801 when it is billed the first time. You would not report 69801 again during the global period. Instead, you just bill the subsequent medication at each subsequent visit. You may have to appeal a denial due to the claim not having a matching administration code with an explanation showing that the injection was [...]