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Tip: Correctly code ear and auditory procedures

Ambulatory Surgery Reimbursement Update, October 14, 2008

Report code 69660 for a stapedectomy or stapedotomy with reestablishment of ossicular continuity, with or without the use of foreign material. This procedure treats improperly functioning inner ear ossicles, ossicular sclerosis and hearing loss from various causes.

Use code 69661 for a stapedectomy or stapedotomy with reestablishment of ossicular continuity, with or without use of foreign material; with a footplate drill out. This procedure also treats improperly functioning inner ear ossicles, ossicular sclerosis and hearing loss from various causes.

Code the bone anchored hearing aid (BAHA) procedure (CPT code 69710) for an implantation or replacement of an electromagnetic bone conduction hearing device in the temporal bone. This procedure treats hearing loss from various causes.

CPT code 69714 applies to implantation, osseointegrated implant, temporal bone, with percutaneous attachment to an external speech processor/cochlear stimulator; without a mastoidectomy. Bill implants for this procedure with HCPCS codes L8690 (auditory osseointegrated device, includes all internal and external components) or L8691 (auditory osseointegrated device, external sound processor, replacement). The decision whether to make payment for the implant is payer specific.

CPT code 69930 (cochlear device implantation, with or without mastoidectomy) includes the implant in Medicare billings, so do not bill for the implant separately. When billing this procedure to payers other than Medicare, use HCPCS code L8614 (cochlear device, includes all internal and external components for the implant). Again, the decision whether to pay for the implant lies with the payer.

This tip is brought to you by Ellis Medical Consulting, Inc.

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