October 1997 page 11a
Coding Consultation
Auditory, 69000, 69020 (Q&A)
Question
How should the insertion of ear wicks be reported?
AMA Comment
Ear wick(s) saturated with medication (eg, antibiotic) are placed into the ear canal to reach an infected area. When performed at the time of another intervention (eg, 69000, 69020) ear wick insertion is considered inclusive of that procedure, therefore not warranting additional reporting. Ear wick removal would be inclusive of the follow-up care performed during the postoperative period. When the insertion and/or removal of an ear wick(s) is performed in the absence of another intervention, then...
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