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Otolaryngology Coding Alert

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Sinusectomy Codes Depict Specific Functions

Published on Mon Jul 04, 2011

Question: When should I report sinusectomy codes? When a surgeon suctions purulent mucoid material from any of the sinuses, is this considered removal of tissue and reported with codes 31254/31255, 31267, or 31288?Texas SubscriberAnswer: Report 31231 (Nasal endoscopy, diagnostic, unilateral or bilateral [separate procedure]) when the otolaryngologist performs nasal or sinus endoscopy, and only suctions the purulent mucous from the patient's sinus. If she performs an endoscopic nasal/sinus debridement -- for instance,removing necrotic material or tissue, in addition to suctioning mucus or pus -- you should bill 31237 (Nasal/ sinus endoscopy, surgical; with biopsy, polypectomy ordebridement [separate procedure]).Pointer: The surgeon must perform a sinusostomy or ethmoidectomy before you can report 31254 (Nasal/sinus endoscopy, surgical; with ethmoidectomy, partial [anterior]), 31255 (...with ethmoidectomy, total [anterior and posterior]), 31267 (...with maxillary antrostomy; with removal of tissue from maxillary sinus), or 31288 (...with sphenoidotomy; with removal of tissue from the sphenoid sinus). Suctioning of purulent material [...]
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