January 2010 page 11b
Surgery: Respiratory System (Q&A)
Question: Using a balloon under endoscopic control, a dilation of the frontal sinus ostium is performed. Is this reported as 31276 Nasal/sinus endoscopy, surgical with frontal sinus exploration, with or without removal of tissue from frontal sinus?
Answer: No. The correct code to report for this service is 31299 Unlisted procedure, accessory sinuses; this includes fluoroscopy, if concurrently performed. However, if a balloon were used endoscopically, along with cutting tools such as curettes and forceps, to create a sinusotomy by removal of tissue from the frontal sinus ostium (and the...
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