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.
2019 ICD-10-PCS Procedure Code 3E1B38X. Irrigation of Ear using Irrigating Substance, Percutaneous Approach, Diagnostic. 2016 2017 2018 2019 Billable/Specific Code. ICD-10-PCS 3E1B38X is a specific/billable code that can be used to indicate a procedure.
2021 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T16.2XXA Foreign body in left ear, initial encounter 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Billable/Specific Code T16.2XXA is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.
Impacted cerumen, left ear 1 H61.22 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 H61.22 became effective on October 1, 2020. 3 This is the American ICD-10-CM version of H61.22 - other international versions of ICD-10 H61.22 may differ.
Procedure code 69209, 69210, g0268 - Ear wax removal - Medical Billing and Coding - Procedure code, ICD CODE. 69209- Removal impacted cerumen using irrigation/lavage, unilateral – average fee payment – $10 -$20 69210 Removal impacted cerumen requiring instrumentation, unilateral
3E1B78ZICD-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 code H92. 12 for Otorrhea, left ear is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Diseases of the ear and mastoid process .
23 Impacted cerumen, bilateral.
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.
How would you report a bilateral cerumen removal using CPT codes? A: The coder would report CPT code 69210 (removal impacted cerumen requiring instrumentation, unilateral) with modifier -50 (bilateral procedure) twice.
Most of the time, any fluid leaking out of an ear is ear wax. A ruptured eardrum can cause a white, slightly bloody, or yellow discharge from the ear. Dry crusted material on a child's pillow is often a sign of a ruptured eardrum.
ICD-10 code R51 for Headache is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified .
9: Fever, unspecified.
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 .
For bilateral impacted cerumen removal, report code 69210 with modifier 50, Bilateral Procedure, appended.
Group 1CodeDescription69209REMOVAL IMPACTED CERUMEN USING IRRIGATION/LAVAGE, UNILATERAL69210REMOVAL IMPACTED CERUMEN REQUIRING INSTRUMENTATION, UNILATERALG0268REMOVAL OF IMPACTED CERUMEN (ONE OR BOTH EARS) BY PHYSICIAN ON SAME DATE OF SERVICE AS AUDIOLOGIC FUNCTION TESTING
Code. Description. 69209. REMOVAL IMPACTED CERUMEN USING IRRIGATION/LAVAGE, UNILATERAL.
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.
CPT guidelines require that the bilateral procedures be reported with modifier 50 and 1 unit of service (eg, 69200-50 x 1 unit). Some payers will require that the procedure be reported with modifier 50 and 2 units of service.
CPT® identifies 69210 as a unilateral procedure. If the provider removes impacted cerumen from both the right and left ears, you may report a bilateral procedure.
The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM H61.22 became effective on October 1, 2021.
H61.22 is not usually sufficient justification for admission to an acute care hospital when used a principal diagnosis. The following code (s) above H61.22 contain annotation back-references. Annotation Back-References.
Foreign body in left ear, initial encounter 1 T16.2XXA 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 T16.2XXA became effective on October 1, 2020. 3 This is the American ICD-10-CM version of T16.2XXA - other international versions of ICD-10 T16.2XXA may differ.
Use secondary code (s) from Chapter 20, External causes of morbidity, to indicate cause of injury. Codes within the T section that include the external cause do not require an additional external cause code.
The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM T16.2XXA became effective on October 1, 2021.
Other specified disorders of ear, unspecified ear 1 H93.8X9 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 H93.8X9 became effective on October 1, 2020. 3 This is the American ICD-10-CM version of H93.8X9 - other international versions of ICD-10 H93.8X9 may differ.
The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM H93.8X9 became effective on October 1, 2021.
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.
Note: procedure codes 69209 and 69210 describe a unilateral procedure. To report a bilateral procedure, append modifier – 50 with “1” in the unit field.
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.
G0268: Removal of impacted cerumen (one or both ears) by physician on same date of service as audiologic function testing
UCare will follow Medicare guidelines and will process claims for procedure code 69210 based on a unit of one. Claims submitted with a -50 modifier will deny.
CPT codes, descriptions and other data only are copyright 2021 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/HHSARS apply.
This article gives guidance for billing, coding, and other guidelines in relation to local coverage policy L33945-Cerumen (Earwax) Removal.
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.
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.
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.
I understand for an irrigation or "ear wash" CPT code 69210 is not applicable; however, I suggested Rad check out the description of the code regardless. Some coders aren't aware that if the cerumen is removed via instrument this code should be utilized as opposed to the E/M.
An ear irrigation is not a separately billable item, it is inclusive to the E&M, if performed at a well visit it is part of the wellness visit unless you have sufficient documentation to support a billable level for a patient complaint. If the provider irrigated the ears to be able to get a better look, you cannot charge a separate level.