It’s time to put down the egg nog and get back to work, ushering in new otolaryngology CPT® codes. Examining the new codes now and understanding how they will impact coding and billing for your otolaryngology practice is the key to kicking off a profitable new year.
Everyone from coders and billers to managers and administrators to auditors and otolaryngologists themselves have an important role to play in making sure your practice gets paid for all its services, keeping denials at bay. The trick is to compliantly optimize payment within the 2018 CPT® coding framework.
Coding expert Barbara J. Cobuzzi examines the new codes and how they will impact coding for the otolaryngology practice in an audio conference for ProfEdOnDemand, “Otolaryngology CPT® and ICD-10 Update for 2018.” During this session Barbara provides a practical understanding of how to integrate the new 2018 CPT® codes with the existing CPT® codes.
What’s New for Otolaryngology Coding?
Breathe deep, because 2018 brings modified and revised wording for existing CPT® codes, new CPT® codes for FESS, and ICD-10 changes that impact otolaryngology.
Here’s just a sample of what lies ahead:
- Evaluation and management (E/M) update: Hospital Observation Services were editorially revised by adding the term “outpatient hospital” in front of “observation status” in the code descriptors to better clarify that these codes are only used for patients that are admitted to outpatient observation status.
- Integumentary system update: Two new codes, 15730 and 15733, are established to replace the one code, 15732, to clarify reporting of myocutaneous and fasciocutaneous flap procedures of the head and neck.
- Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). The series of bundled codes implemented in 1994 that were separated as single codes in 2005 are once again revamped 2018. New codes were added to functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) that will modify your approach to coding for this treatment for a chronic condition.
- Larynx updates. Code 31320 for incision of the voice box (laryngotomy) for diagnostic purposes is removed in 2018 because of extremely low use of the code. To report incision of the larynx for diagnostic purposes, you can use 31599 (Unlisted procedure, larynx).
- Inner ear updates. Codes 69820 and 69840 for fenestration (opening) and revision of fenestration of the semicircular canal of the inner ear are removed because of extremely low use of the codes. This procedure to treat dizziness caused by otosclerosis has been replaced with newer, more effective procedures. To report these procedures, you can use unlisted procedure code such as 69949 (Unlisted procedure, inner ear).
Get Your Coding Updates Now!
Keeping up to date with the latest coding changes and avoiding denials caused by incorrect reporting of services is crucial to your practice’s health. The sinus surgery overhaul alone should make you pause. 2018 is here: Do you know when individual FESS codes should not be reported instead of the bundled codes?
Do you know which codes to use for Total ethmoidectomy and sphenoidotomy and frontal exploration? How about Total ethmoidectomy and sphenoidotomy and frontal exploration and antrostomy, with or without removal of polyp(s)?
Are you ready for the new CMS fee schedule? You can be. It’s not too late to get up to speed on 2018 otolaryngology CPT® updates.
