tci ED Coding & Reimbursement Alert - 2013 Issue 2

You Be the Coder: Read the procedure note front to back to determine if the postierior packing code is justified

Question: The ED physician cauterized and performed packing for an anterior nosebleed. He called in the ENT because the patient was still bleeding. The ENT saw a posterior bleed and placed a posterior pack in the patient’s nose. Should I report the posterior code?Iowa Subscriber Answer: If the emergency department physician performed cautery and the patient additionally required packing, you have likely met the requirement for code 30903 (Control nasal hemorrhage, anterior, complex [extensive cautery and/or packing] any method). A majority of anterior bleeds come from Kesselbachs’ plexus, an area where several blood supplies come together. This...

To read the full article, sign in and subscribe to tci ED Coding & Reimbursement Alert.

Thank you for choosing Find-A-Code, please Sign In to remove ads.