AAO-HNS/F Network Search

The Centralized Otolaryngology Research Efforts (CORE) grants program is a collaboration of several societies, foundations, and industry supporters focused on providing support for research in the field of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. …

AAO-HNSF Bylaw Articles As amended by vote of the AAO-HNS Membership on June 4, 2020. Section 1.01. Registered Office  The American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as the “Foundation”) shall have and continuously maintain…

AAO-HNS Bylaw Articles As amended by vote of the AAO-HNS Membership on June 4, 2020. Section 1.01. Registered Office  The American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as the “Academy”) shall have and continuously maintain in…

Q: How can I report an endoscopic laryngoplasty? A: The Academy recommends the use of CPT code 31599- Unlisted code, larynx to report an endoscopic laryngoplasty. Physicians should not use CPT codes 31580, 31551, 31552, 31553, 31554, 31584, nor 31587 to report this procedure, as…

Q: How do I code for percutaneous laryngeal injections using flexible endoscopic guidance? A: Percutaneous laryngeal injections performed using flexible laryngoscopy for guidance and needle placement should be reported using 31574. This describes injection (s) for augmentation (eg percutaneous, transoral) for unilateral vocal cord. Q…

International outreach, worldwide partnerships, and the exchange of information and education are vital to the Academy and its Foundation. Global Ground Rounds The AAO-HNSF Global Grand Rounds series is an initiative of the Academy’s International Advisory Board (IAB) to improve care of…

For CY 2013, the CPT Editorial Panel has modified the descriptor for add on code +15777 and has limited this code’s use to biologic implants placed into breast and/or trunk sites only. The new text is underlined below. The new descriptor and corresponding…

You Asked, We Delivered: Academy Achieves Modification to NCCI Edit for CPT 69424 In early 2013, the Academy was approached by several members and coding experts regarding frequent denials by Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) for claims which listed CPT 69424 Ventilating tube removal requiring general…

Q: What are appropriate codes to report the drainage and irrigation of the masseteric, submandibular, sublingual, and submental spaces when a single incision is made? A: You should report this procedure with CPT code 41018-Extraoral incision and drainage of abscess, cyst, or hematoma of…

As a result of the advocacy of the Academy, the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) will delete the current bundling edit for the neck dissection CPT codes (38720-Cervical lymphadenectomy (complete) and 38724 – Cervical lymphadenectomy (modified radical neck dissection) when performed on the same patient…

Q: Can I bill for use of the operating microscope, Code 69990? A: Yes. Otolaryngologists commonly use the operating microscope while performing a variety of microsurgical procedures. CPT +69990, Use of operating microscope (list separately in addition to code for primary procedure), is a billable…

The CPT Manual defines modifier 59 as follows: “Distinct Procedural Service: Under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-E/M services performed on the same day. Modifier 59 is used to…

Q: When should I use an unlisted code? A: An unlisted code should be used to report a procedure when no Category I or III CPT code exists to describe the procedure. Q: When shouldn’t I use an unlisted code? A: When a valid…

Q. Should physicians report CPT code 95027 by antigen or per dilution (test or stick)? A. The change for the code descriptor for CPT code 95027 was documented in the American Medical Association’s CPT® Changes for 2003: An Insider’s View. Formerly describing…

Q: What is gold weight placement in the upper eyelid, and how would I code that procedure? A: It is common for patients diagnosed with lagophthalmos to have a gold weight implanted in the upper eyelid. Lagophthalmos is the inability to fully close the upper…

Q: Can a uvuloplastopharyngoplasty (UPPP) Current Procedural Terminology (CPT code 42145) and a tonsillectomy (CPT code 42826) be billed at the same surgical session? A: The Practice Management Department has noticed an increase in inquiries on the bundling of Tonsillectomy and uvuloplastopharyngoplasty. Historically speaking, the…

Q: Can I report CPT 42870 Excision or destruction lingual tonsil, any method and the codes for adenoidectomy, CPT 42830, 42831, 42835, and 42836 on the same date-of-service? Can I report CPT 42870 Excision or destruction lingual tonsil, any method and the codes…

Future Annual Meeting & OTO EXPOSM Dates and Locations *subject to change* …