Impacted cerumen, right ear. H61.21 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. The 2019 edition of ICD-10-CM H61.21 became effective on October 1, 2018.
Other specified disorders of ear, unspecified ear. H93.8X9 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. The 2020 edition of ICD-10-CM H93.8X9 became effective on October 1, 2019.
2018/2019 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R23.2. Flushing. 2016 2017 2018 2019 Billable/Specific Code. R23.2 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. The 2018/2019 edition of ICD-10-CM R23.2 became effective on October 1, 2018.
Impacted cerumen, right ear 1 H61.21 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. 2 The 2021 edition of ICD-10-CM H61.21 became effective on October 1, 2020. 3 This is the American ICD-10-CM version of H61.21 - other international versions of ICD-10 H61.21 may differ. More ...
2021 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Z01.10 Encounter for examination of ears and hearing without abnormal findings 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Billable/Specific Code POA Exempt Z01.10 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.
ICD-10-PCS Code 3E1B78Z - Irrigation of Ear using Irrigating Substance, Via Natural or Artificial Opening - Codify by AAPC.
A new CPT code, 69209, provides a specific billing code for removal of impacted cerumen using irrigation/lavage. Like CPT 69210, (removal of impacted cerumen requiring instrumentation, unilateral) 69209 requires that a physician or qualified healthcare professional make the decision to irrigate/lavage.
ICD-10-CM Code for Impacted cerumen, right ear H61. 21.
ICD-10 code H61. 23 for Impacted cerumen, bilateral is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Diseases of the ear and mastoid process .
Removal of impacted cerumen is represented by the following two CPT codes:69209 – Removal impacted cerumen using irrigation/lavage, unilateral.69210 – Removal impacted cerumen requiring instrumentation, unilateral.
CPT® considers this procedure to be unilateral. CPT® states, “For bilateral procedure, report 69210 with modifier 50.” Medicare will pay the same amount for 69210 whether it is performed on one ear or two, even though the CPT® descriptor stipulates it is unilateral.
An ear lavage, also known as ear irrigation or ear flush, is a safe method of earwax removal when performed by a healthcare professional.
Otitis media, unspecified, unspecified ear H66. 90 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM H66. 90 became effective on October 1, 2021.
Impacted cerumen removal is the extraction of hardened or accumulated cerumen (ear wax) from the external auditory canal by mechanical means, such as irrigation or debridement.
CPT code 69210, Removal impacted cerumen, (separate procedure) one or both ears.
69210. REMOVAL IMPACTED CERUMEN REQUIRING INSTRUMENTATION, UNILATERAL.
For bilateral impacted cerumen removal, report code 69210 with modifier 50, Bilateral Procedure, appended.
Code. Description. 69209. REMOVAL IMPACTED CERUMEN USING IRRIGATION/LAVAGE, UNILATERAL.
69210, Removal impacted cerumen requiring instrumentation, unilateral.
When you are using 69210 for ear wax impaction, it is appropriate to use an E/M code (with modifier -25) if the patient received a true evaluation and management for a separate problem (such as bronchitis or pharyngitis) or for complicating problems (such as dizziness or otitis media).
e. 69210 is not to be used for billing of removal of non-impacted cerumen – use an appropriate E&M code instead. 3 g. 69210 is allowed when billed in conjunction with one of the following: 92550, 92552, 92553, 92556, 92567, 92570, 92579, 92582, 92587.
The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM H61.21 became effective on October 1, 2021.
H61.21 is not usually sufficient justification for admission to an acute care hospital when used a principal diagnosis. The following code (s) above H61.21 contain annotation back-references. Annotation Back-References.
Code 69210 captures the direct method of impacted earwax removal using curettes, hooks, forceps, and suction. CPT® considers this procedure to be unilateral. CPT® states, “For bilateral procedure, report 69210 with modifier 50.” Medicare will pay the same amount for 69210 whether it is performed on one ear or two, even though the CPT® descriptor stipulates it is unilateral.
You may report 69210 Removal impacted cerumen requiring instrumentation, unilateral if instrumentation is used to remove impacted cerumen. Impacted cerumen typically is extremely hard and dry, usually is accompanied by pain and itching, and can lead to hearing loss.
CPT® 69209 Removal impacted cerumen using irrigation/lavage, unilateral reports removal of impacted cerumen (earwax) by irrigation and/or lavage. This method is less invasive than 69210: a continuous low pressure flow of liquid (e.g., saline solution) is used to gently loosen impacted cerumen and flush it out, with or without the use of a cerumen softening agent (e.g., cerumenolytic) that may be administered days prior to, or at the time of, the procedure. This is considered an indirect method of cerumen removal and is reported when the removal of impacted cerumen does not require instrumentation.
Only one method of removal of impacted cerumen (i.e., either 69209 or 69210) may be reported when both are performed on the same day on the same ear. Procedure code 69209 is unilateral. If performed bilaterally, report 69209 on a single claim detail line with the modifier 50 appended. As stated above, individual payers may have different rules on billing unilateral procedures performed bilaterally and may prefer that the procedure codes be billed as separate line items with RT and LT modifiers for right and left, respectively.
Cerumen impaction is a condition in which earwax has become tightly packed in the external ear canal to the point that the canal is blocked . Extraction requiring methods beyond simple irrigation or removal by Q-tip or cotton-tipped applicator may require a physician’s skill. Cerumen, or ear wax, is the product of desquamated skin mixed with secretions from the adnexal glands of the external ear canal. It provides lubrication and acts as a vehicle for the removal of contaminants away from the tympanic membrane and prevents dessication of the epidermis.
Note: procedure codes 69209 and 69210 describe a unilateral procedure. To report a bilateral procedure, append modifier – 50 with “1” in the unit field.
1. The patient presents to the office for the removal of “ear wax” by the nurse via irrigation or lavage. 2. The patient presents to the office for the removal of “ear wax” by the primary care physician via irrigation or lavage. 3. The patient presents to the office for “ear wax” removal as the presenting complaint.
I also give as a reminder that this code is in the surgical section of the book and with only a few exceptions such as venipuncture codes in the range of 10000-69999 are to be performed by physicians.
The 69210 should only be used when, 1. the patient has a cerumen impaction (380.4) and 2. the removal requires physician work using at least an otoscope and instrumentation, rather than simple lavage. Instrumentation can be wax curettes, forceps and suction.
I agree with the others and CPC Assistant from 7/2005 also supports this position. An ear wash squeegy is not an instrument.