Just quickly searching, and from reading that statement, it probably needs documentation improvement. If you looked at 10 or so of these from the same provider, what do they read like? Are they using the same (cruddy) template every time which also looks like it needs grammar and spell checking?
If you read the CPT descriptions the key word difference is Excision (30130) vs. Submucous Resection (30140). It is submucosal that is the difference.
"On the other hand, 30130 and 30140 involves resection, or excision, of the inferior turbinate; 30140 differs from 30130 in that it involves entering the submucosal plane, cutting out the inferior turbinate bone, and preserving the mucosa while taking out the bone"
"When documenting for CPT code 30140,
Submucous resection of the inferior turbinate, partial or complete, any method, the medical record should reflect that the physician entered or incised the mucosa, with its preservation, while removing or reducing a portion of the underlying bone and/or soft tissue. A simple statement such as “excised the turbinate(s)” is not enough documentation to reflect that submucous resection was performed nor would it reflect the documentation required if the procedure had been performed bilaterally. 30130
Excision inferior turbinate, partial or complete, any method should be used if a portion of the
inferior turbinate is removed."
I don't have a subscription to this but:
https://www.aapc.com/codes/coding-n...MRqXrMOYUBgcoamG7qLqDZtbN98gj7iVltZHTJzO-bWQx
You could also check CPT Assistant for answers.
Old but explains:
https://www.aorn.org/outpatient-surgery/article/2011-August-coding-billing
Excision of the inferior turbinate (partial or complete) by any method — 30130
This code was revised for 2006 to differentiate it to be used for the inferior turbinate only. Use this code when the surgeon excises mucosa and bone at the same time. This code would be used whether the procedure is performed using a scope or not.
Submucous resection of the inferior turbinate(s) (partial or complete) by any method — 30140
This code was revised for 2006 to differentiate it to be used for the inferior turbinate only. This procedure involves elevating the inferior turbinate from the turbinate bone, and making an incision into the mucosa of the inferior turbinate, so it can be excised. Precise wording in the operative report is very important in billing this procedure; the surgeon must note that he incised the mucosa and resected the turbinate bone. Use this code regardless of whether the procedure is performed using a scope. If the note just states, "Excision of inferior turbinate," you must bill the 30130 code.
