Wiki Partial Tonsillectomy?

[AN2114]

The doctor did a partial intracapsular tonsillectomy with adenoidectomy. He said to code it as a regular T&A but I'm still unsure if I need to use modifier 52. Here is what the op report says about the partial tonsillectomy:

"We then did partial intracapsular tonsillectomy performed initially using coblator setting at 9 and 5 and I just avoided the tonsillar tissue going from medial to lateral leaving a thin room of tissue in the fossa on both sides and this stopped bleeding with bipolar portion of the wand. I then brought Rob-Nel catheter down through each nasal cavity, the internal limb was grasped and brought out through the oral cavity. Two ends were clamped together and placed on slight traction for elevation of the palate."

Should I use modifier 52 or just code it as a T&A?

Thank you!

 

[freespririt0806]

I would say if all the tonsil tissue removed it is a tonsillectomy

 

[jackjones62]

Agree with tiaralady, not all the tonsil tissue is always removed, hence the reason for the description of Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary.... Bill the tonsillectomy, no modifier 52.

 

[trish4560@snet.net]

I have a case where the MD came back 6 months later to remove the rest of the tissue from previous tonsillectomy. What code would I use for the repeat procedure??? 42826 is a once in a lifetime code. Thanks, Trish