Otolaryngology – CRN Healthcare Solutions

Coding Uncertain Lesion Excisions With Certainty

August 1, 2022October 25, 2022Barbara Cobuzzi, MBA, CPC, COC, CPC-P, CPC-I, CENTC, CPCONo Comments

What to do when the pathology doesn’t correlate to the service provided. The rules for cutaneous (skin) excision coding are straightforward: When the pathology for a lesion is benign, code for excision of benign lesion, 11400-11446; and when the patho… For more, read here: AAPC Blog

Interview on Podcast – Life as a Coder ~ Breaking down the Global Package for ENT Services and More

July 6, 2022October 25, 2022Barbara Cobuzzi, MBA, CPC, COC, CPC-P, CPC-I, CENTC, CPCONo Comments

Jennifer McNamara interviews Barbara Cobuzzi on Life as a Coder. They talk about the global package as it applies to ENT services. Also reviewed is the new encoder, Coding Advisor by Barbara Cobuzzi and what Barbara has been doing lately as she consults and provides expert witness services in the coding, billing, revenue cycle and compliance space…

Check Your FESS Claims for Improper Payment Adjustments

February 11, 2020June 28, 2022Barbara Cobuzzi, MBA, CPC, CPC-H, CPC-P, CPC-I, CENTC, CPCONo Comments

MACs may be applying the multiple endoscopy rule incorrectly. In the 2020 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Final Rule, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized the proposal to apply the special rule for multiple endosco… For more, read here: AAPC Blog

Multiple Endoscopy Rule Examples

January 13, 2020June 28, 2022Barbara Cobuzzi, MBA, CPC, CPC-H, CPC-P, CPC-I, CENTC, CPCONo Comments

In my last blog “Special Rules Apply to Endoscopic Sinus Surgeries,” I discussed the change to the Multiple Endoscopy Rule for multiple surgeries when performed within the family of endoscopic sinus codes. How Does the Multiple Endoscopy Rule Affect … For more, read here: AAPC Blog

CMS Proposes Payment Changes to Endoscopic Sinus Codes

August 12, 2019December 4, 2020Barbara Cobuzzi, MBA, CPC, CPC-H, CPC-P, CPC-I, CENTC, CPCONo Comments

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is proposing major payment changes to sinus endoscopy services. The 2020 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) proposed rule includes the following excerpt: We are proposing to apply the special rule for m… For more, read here: AAPC Blog

Getting Inspire Therapy for Sleep Apnea Covered

July 17, 2019Barbara Cobuzzi, MBA, CPC, CPC-H, CPC-P, CPC-I, CENTC, CPCONo Comments

Obstructive sleep apnea causes those who suffer from it to sleep poorly and always feel tired. Obstructive sleep apnea is also indicative for heart Inspire® therapy is a promising alternative to traditional treatment options for sleep apnea, but getting it covered under insurance is not a given. For more, read here: AAPC Blog

Billing 95165 Is Nothing to Sneeze At

July 11, 2019July 16, 2019Barbara Cobuzzi, MBA, CPC, CPC-H, CPC-P, CPC-I, CENTC, CPCONo Comments

The professional service of preparation and provision of antigens for allergen immunotherapy — reported using CPT® 95165 Professional services for the supervision of preparation and provision of antigens for allergen immunotherapy; single or multiple … For more, read here: AAPC Blog

You’ll Need This to Get Balloon Dilation of the Eustachian Tube Paid

June 7, 2019June 18, 2019Barbara Cobuzzi, MBA, CPC, CPC-H, CPC-P, CPC-I, CENTC, CPCONo Comments

Clinical Consensus Statement: Balloon Dilation of the Eustachian Tube (BDET), published by the American Academy of Otolaryngology ̶ Head and Neck Surgery, June 4, is important because BDET is newer technology and may be rejected for payment by third… For more, read here: AAPC Blog

Auditing Postoperative Sinus Debridements

May 23, 2019June 18, 2019Barbara Cobuzzi, MBA, CPC, CPC-H, CPC-P, CPC-I, CENTC, CPCONo Comments

An auditor asked the question of postoperative sinus debridements while discussing functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). It was asked if postoperative debridements are coded and chargeable when a septoplasty or a turbinate procedure is performed… For more, read here: AAPC Blog

Audiology Technician Billing

June 4, 2018August 28, 2018Barbara Cobuzzi, MBA, CPC, CPC-H, CPC-P, CPC-I, CENTC, CPCONo Comments

Medicare stipulates precise requirements for billing audiology technicians’ services. As outlined in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Transmittal 84 in February 2008, these requirements are distinct from those governing audiolog… For more, read here: AAPC Blog