Wiki Aspiration of Tonsil Abscess

SUEV

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My provider aspirates tonsil abscesses so the coding system I use leads me to 42999. Anthem states that after reviewing the notes, there's a better code (and didn't tell us what it was of course). I didn't use 42700 because the code describes an incision and he uses a needle for aspiration. Is there something else I should be using instead? Would 42700 be ok for these cases? Thanks for any help!
Sue
 
Supercoder suggests using 10021 for FNA of a peritonsillar abscess. I wouldn't use 42700 unless an incision was made with a scalpel or large bore needle.
 
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