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Otolaryngology Coding Alert

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Don't Dismiss 20670 As Always Part Of Primary Procedure

Published on Fri Sep 09, 2011

Question: My physician performed 21470 on a patient. After a month, it was time to remove the arch bars, I'm not sure what to code. I've heard that removal of a fixation device is not reported separately. Is this correct -- even if the procedure involved anesthesia and a return to the operating room?Florida SubscriberAnswer: You can report the arch bar removal separately -- in which case you should code 20670 (Removal of implant; superficial [e.g., buried wire, pin or rod] [separate procedure]). CCI Edits do not consider this code an inclusive component of 21470 (Open treatment of complicated mandibular fracture by multiple surgical approaches including internal fixation, interdental fixation, and/or wiring of dentures or splints). Also, some patients may be taken out of fixation immediately after surgery, but others are left in fixation for a month or more --" just as your case indicates.The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery [...]
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