Otolaryngology Coding Alert

In 2009, this successful 60512 appeal would bring in $229. Appealing a 60512 denial can be tricky business,but don't give up. Barbara Cobuzzi, MBA, CENTC, CPC-H, CPCP, CPC-I, CHCC, president of CRN Healthcare Solutions, Tinton Falls, N.J., shares a war story in which she untangled conflicting bundles. -One of my memorable appeals with my Medicare carrier was a case where the doctor performed a thyroidectomy, parathyroidectomy, and parathyroid autotransplantation. -I only billed the thyroidectomy -- 60240 (Thyroidectomy, total or complete) -- and the parathyroid autotransplantation -- 60512 (Parathyroid autotransplantation [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure]) -- because the  arathyroidectomy was bundled with the thyroidectomy. -My Medicare carrier denied 60512. I appealed, but they said they had an edit in the system that denied pay for 60512 unless 60500 (Parathyroidectomy or exploration of parathyroid[s]), 60502 (-re-exploration) or 60505 (- with mediastinal exploration, sternal split or transthoracic approach) are also billed. So, I [...]