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The Honorary Guest Lectureships are a time-honored tradition at the AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPOSM. John Conley, MD Lecture on Medical Ethics Eugene N. Myers, MD International Lecture on Head and Neck Cancer H. Bryan Neel III, MD, PHD Distinguished Research Lecture…

About the Honor and Distinguished Service Awards Honor Awards and Distinguished Service Awards are part of the Academy's system for recognizing meritorious service. Members receive honor points for participation in a variety of activities and leadership roles. Non-members can receive honor points…

Download PDF High Priority Status: Yes / Care Coordination CBE Number: N/A Measure Description: Percentage of patients who were diagnosed with dysphonia who received or were referred for a laryngeal examination within 4 weeks of initial diagnosis. Instructions: This measure is to be submitted once…

Download PDF High Priority Status: No / N/A CBE Number: N/A Measure Description: Percentage of patients aged 2 years and older with a diagnosis of allergic rhinitis who are prescribed or recommended intranasal corticosteroids (INS) or non-sedating oral antihistamines. Instructions: This measure is…

The NIM Nerve Monitoring System, manufactured by Medtronic, has become an invaluable tool for surgeons operating around cranial and peripheral nerves to monitor and help preserve their function during both routine and complex surgical procedures. Since Medtronic has introduced the NIM VitalTM as the successor…

CPT for ENT: Coding 31000 with Balloon Dilation Procedures Q: I’ve noticed that there are not any coding edits in place for CPT 31000 Lavage by cannulation; maxillary sinus (antrum puncture or natural ostium) when billed with 31295 (endoscopic balloon dilation of the maxillary…

In late 2006, there was a proposal from CMS and NCCI to remove the modifier over-ride of CPT code 31231 –Nasal endoscopy, diagnostic, unilateral or bilateral (separate procedure) when billed with the flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy CPT codes (31575-31578). The CMS and NCCI staff…

Q. What are the appropriate codes to report when a physician performs a nasal endoscopy and obtains multiple biopsies of the nasopharyngeal tissue in conjunction with a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A)? A. The physician should report only the appropriate T & A code based on…

Q. What are the appropriate codes to report when a physician performs a superficial radiofrequency ablation at the same session as out-fracturing both inferior turbinates? A. You cannot report this procedure with CPT code 30930-Fracture nasal inferior turbinate(s), therapeutic,because of an…

In November 2009, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed to change the Correct Coding Institute (CCI) modifier edit for the CPT code pair of 30520 – Septoplasty or submucous resection, with or without cartilage scoring, contouring or replacement with graft and 30801 – Ablation…

Q: How can I report the anterior submucous resectioning of the inferior turbinates (bilaterally), with additional posterior volumetric reduction using a microdebrider followed by the crushing and lateralizing of the turbinates? A: You should code this service with CPT code 30140 – Submucous resection inferior turbinate…

Clarification on Reporting the Sinusectomy CPT Codes Q. When a surgeon suctions purulent mucoid material from any of the sinuses, is this considered removal of tissue and reported with codes 31254/31255, 31267, or 31288? Is it appropriate to report sinusectomy codes when the surgeon…

Q: Would insertion of an absorbable nasal implant, such as Latera®, to treat nasal obstruction from valve collapse be reported with CPT code 30465, Repair of nasal vestibular stenosis (eg, spreader grafting, lateral nasal wall reconstruction)? A: No.  This procedure should be reported with…

As AAO-HNS members are likely aware, 2018 brings significant changes to the Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (“FESS”) and Sinus Ostial Dilation (e.g., balloon sinus dilation or “BSD”) family of CPT codes. In January 2015, the FESS and BSD family of codes were captured in…

Download PDF High Priority Status: Yes / Appropriate Use NQF Number: N/A Measure Description: Percentage of patients diagnosed with Benign Positional Paroxysmal Vertigo (BPPV) who received vestibular testing, imaging, and antihistamine or benzodiazepine medications. Instructions: This measure is to be submitted a minimum of once…

Download PDF 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…