Practice Management Alert

Medicare won't pay 69210 alone, so here's how to unlock payment. Impacted cerumen removal is a fairly straightforward procedure, but billing for the procedure is not always so simple. The problem: Most payers, including Medicare,consider 69210 (Removal impacted cerumen [separate procedure], one or both ears) to be a minor procedure. But unlike with other minor procedures, they only pay for an E/M service as well as the removal of the impacted cerumen when you have two unrelated diagnoses -- one for the E/M service and 380.4 (Impacted cerumen) for the removal of impacted cerumen. The solution: By learning just three simple steps, you can ensure your physician is getting the reimbursement he deserves for this common procedure. Step 1: Look for Second Diagnosis A patient does not usually present for impacted cerumen alone. Another condition, such as ear pain or hearing loss, will usually prompt the visit. When your physician documents [...]