AMA CPT® Assistant - 2012 Issue 5 (May)

Surgery: Auditory System (Q&A) (May 2012)

May 2012 page 14c Surgery: Auditory System Question: How would debridement of the tympanic membrane be reported when bilateral chronic serous otitis media with left tympanic membrane pars flaccida retraction pocket is performed? Would an unlisted CPT code be reported? Answer: No. Code 69436, Tympanostomy (requiring insertion of ventilating tube), general anesthesia, should be reported with modifier 50, Bilateral procedure, appended. Cleaning debris from the lateral drum, including a pars flaccida retraction pocket, is inclusive to the tube placement code; this was performed on both sides as indicated by the modifier. No other code should be reported for the...

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CPT® Assistant content is the official source for CPT® coding guidance. It is an instrumental tool when appealing insurance denials and validating coding to auditors. Monthly issues and an extensive archive provide comprehensive guidance on proper CPT® coding for past, present and upcoming code set releases. Archives date back to 1990 for historical use of codes, changes, rationales, coding tips and trends in the industry.

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