AAO36: Tympanostomy Tubes: Resolution of Otitis Media with Effusion (OME) in Adults and Children+

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High Priority Status: Yes / Outcome

CBE Number: N/A

Measure Description:

Percentage of patients aged 6 months and older with a diagnosis of otitis media with effusion (OME) who are seen 2 to 8 weeks after tympanostomy tube surgery and OME is resolved.

Instructions:

This measure is to be submitted a minimum of once per performance period for patients diagnosed with otitis media with effusion. This measure may be submitted by clinicians based on the services provided and the measure-specific denominator coding.

Denominator:

Patients aged 6 months and older with a diagnosis of OME who are seen 2 to 8 weeks after tympanostomy tube surgery.

Denominator Note:

To meet the denominator criteria, a patient must undergo tympanostomy tube placement due to OME and be seen in the office within 2-8 weeks of surgery.

Denominator Exclusions:

None

Denominator Criteria:

Patients aged 6 months and older

AND

Diagnosis: OME

AND    

Procedure: Tympanostomy Tubes

AND

Patient Visit: Encounter Visit (within 2-8 weeks after Tympanostomy Tube surgery)

For a list of codes that qualify as denominator eligible visits, reference Addendum attached.

Numerator:

Patients with resolution of OME

Numerator Note:

To meet this measure, clinicians should document in the medical record resolution of OME.

 Denominator Exceptions:

Patient refusal for follow-up examination

Measure Classifications:

• Submission Pathway: Traditional MIPS
• Measure Type: Outcome
• High Priority Type: Outcome
• Meaningful Measures Area: Patient-Focused Episode of Care
• Care Setting(s): Ambulatory Care: Clinician Office/Clinic
• Includes Telehealth: Yes
• Number of Performance Rates: 1
  • Inverse measure: No
  • Continuous measure: No
  • Proportional measure: Yes
  • Ratio measure: No
  • Risk Adjusted measure: No

Clinical Recommendation Statement:

Clinicians should document in the medical record resolution of OME, improved hearing, or improved QOL

Rosenfeld RM, Shin JJ, Schwartz SR, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline: Otitis Media with Effusion (Update). Otolaryngology Head Neck Surg. 2016;154(1 Suppl):S1-S41. doi:10.1177/0194599815623467

 Rationale:

Routine follow-up ensures that the tubes are in place and functioning and can determine whether the ears are healthy, hearing is maximized, and no complications are present.

 Supporting Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG):

For more details, reference the Clinical Practice Guideline: Tympanostomy Tubes in Children (Update) [2022]

© 2026 American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. All rights reserved.

Limited proprietary coding is contained in the measure specifications for convenience. Users of the proprietary code sets should obtain all necessary licenses from the owners of these code sets. The measures, while copyrighted, can be reproduced and distributed, without modification, for noncommercial purposes, e.g., use by health care providers in connection with their practices. Commercial use is defined as the sale, license, or distribution of the measures for commercial gain, or incorporation of the measures into a product or service that is sold, licensed or distributed for commercial gain. Commercial uses of the measures require a license agreement between the user and the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Foundation.

The measure is not a clinical guideline, does not establish a standard of medical care, and has not been tested for all potential applications. The measure and specifications are provided “as is” without warranty of any kind. Neither the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF), nor its members shall be responsible for any use of the measure. The AAO-HNSF and its members disclaim all liability for use or accuracy of any Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) or other coding contained in the specification.

Addendum