icd- 10 code for ear lavague

by Norris Streich PhD 10 min read

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.

Irrigation of Ear using Irrigating Substance, Percutaneous Approach, Diagnostic. ICD-10-PCS 3E1B38X is a specific/billable code that can be used to indicate a procedure.

Full Answer

What is the CPT code for ear lavage?

What is the CPT code for ear lavage? 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.

What is the ICD 10 code for ear infection?

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.

What is the ICD 10 code for ear wax removal?

What is the ICD 10 code for ear wax removal? H61. 20 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 H61. 20 became effective on October 1, 2019.

What is the ICD 10 code for Impacted cerumen right ear?

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 ...

image

What is the ICD-10 code for ear cleaning?

The removal of impacted cerumen (69209, 69210, G0268) is only medically necessary when reported with a diagnosis of impacted cerumen (ICD-10 codes H61.

What is the CPT code for ear irrigation?

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.

What is ICD-10 code for Impacted cerumen?

ICD-10 code H61. 2 for Impacted cerumen is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Diseases of the ear and mastoid process .

What is an ear lavage?

An ear lavage, also known as ear irrigation or ear flush, is a safe method of earwax removal when performed by a healthcare professional. Here's how the ear cleaning works: a healthcare professional may use a rubber bulb syringe filled with warm water, or a triggered squirt bottle and cannula to flush out the ear.

How do you code ear lavage?

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.

How do I bill Medicare for bilateral ear lavage?

For bilateral impacted cerumen removal, report code 69210 with modifier 50, Bilateral Procedure, appended.

What is removal of Impacted cerumen?

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.

What is Impacted cerumen?

Cerumen impaction is defined as an accumulation of cerumen that causes symptoms or prevents assessment of the ear canal, tympanic membrane, or audiovestibular system; complete obstruction is not required.

Is 69209 a bilateral procedure?

Both 69209 and 69210 are unilateral procedures. For removal of impacted earwax from both ears, append modifier 50 Bilateral procedure to the appropriate code. In the example above of the 7-year-old child, if irrigation occurred in both ears, appropriate coding is 69209-50.

Is ear irrigation covered by insurance?

Both parts cover only medically necessary services and items. Medicare does not generally consider earwax removal as medically necessary. However, if a person has an earwax impaction, Part B may cover its removal by ear irrigation if a doctor performs the procedure.

Is the medical term for ear wax?

Earwax, also called cerumen, is made by the body to protect the ears.

Can a nurse irrigate an ear?

Various healthcare professionals can perform ear irrigations. In most healthcare settings, nurses will often be required to perform ear irrigations on their patients. It may sound like a simple procedure, but ear irrigations can easily lead to infection or ruptured eardrums if performed incorrectly.

General Information

CPT codes, descriptions and other data only are copyright 2021 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/HHSARS apply.

Article Guidance

This article gives guidance for billing, coding, and other guidelines in relation to local coverage policy L33945-Cerumen (Earwax) Removal.

ICD-10-CM Codes that Support Medical Necessity

It is the responsibility of the provider to code to the highest level specified in the ICD-10-CM (e.g., to the fourth or fifth digit). The correct use of an ICD-10-CM code listed below does not assure coverage of a service. The service must be reasonable and necessary in the specific case and must meet the criteria specified in this determination.

Bill Type Codes

Contractors may specify Bill Types to help providers identify those Bill Types typically used to report this service. Absence of a Bill Type does not guarantee that the article does not apply to that Bill Type.

Revenue Codes

Contractors may specify Revenue Codes to help providers identify those Revenue Codes typically used to report this service. In most instances Revenue Codes are purely advisory. Unless specified in the article, services reported under other Revenue Codes are equally subject to this coverage determination.

What is 69210 code?

Code 69210 should not be used to report an irrigation or lavage done by either a nurse or a physician. 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. Documentation: you should have a separate entry from the physician to support the procedure. Accompanying documentation should indicate the time, effort, and equipment required to provide the service. This information was obtained via The Coding Institute November, 2005 Internal Medicine Coding Alert. Hope this helps. I have the article if this would be helpful, just let me know.

How to remove ear wax?

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.

When to use 69210?

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.

image