Resolved Foreign Body in Ear

[RachelA_80432]

This may be a silly question: if a surgeon puts you under general anesthesia to get a foreign body out of an ear.....i would use 69205

However, during the procedure its discovered that the foreign body is no longer present and now there is purulent squamous debris that had to be suctioned out....would that still be 69205? Since the intended surgery was to get a foreign body out?

 

[MichelleJ_83786]

I would look into Modifier 52 it may or may not need to be used in these circumstances. I mean if he did everything else but just couldn't find the object they may still pay for the whole procedure and not reduce the payment.

 

[Alicia]

Yes, using a modifier tells the story. You are correct, the intent is how you code it.