What is bilateral functional endoscopic sinus surgery?
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is minimally invasive surgery for serious sinus conditions. Healthcare providers use nasal endoscopes — thin tubes with lights and lens — to ease your sinus symptoms without making incisions in or around your nose.
Can CPT 31231 be billed bilaterally?
CMS has set the base code for this family of endoscopic surgeries as CPT® 31231 Nasal endoscopy, diagnostic, unilateral or bilateral (separate procedure). This code cannot be billed with other endoscopic sinus surgeries.
Why is it called functional endoscopic sinus surgery?
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is a minimally invasive procedure which uses nasal endoscopes to enlarge the nasal drainage pathways of the paranasal sinuses to improve sinus ventilation and allow access of topical medications.
Is CPT 30130 bilateral?
If a surgical procedure was performed simply to gain access to another anatomic area, payors will generally not reimburse. The following CPT codes are considered unilateral: 30130 and 30140.
Is CPT 31255 bilateral?
31231 (Nasal endoscopy, diagnostic, unilateral or bilateral [separate procedure]) 30115 (Excision nasal polyp(s), extensive)…
| Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Codes | |
|---|---|
| CPT Code | Description |
| 31255 | Nasal/sinus endoscopy, surgical; with ethmoidectomy, total (anterior and posterior) |
What is the CPT code 31231?
Diagnostic Nasal Endoscopy
Diagnostic Nasal Endoscopy – CPT 31231.
Is CPT code 31237 a bilateral code?
The CPT codes in questions were 31237 and 31237-50. The “-50” is the bilateral modifier, signifying the procedure was performed bilaterally and by appending this modifier the reimbursement is increased. Debridement is the removal of unhealthy tissue and, when performed, warrants use of the debridement code.
How long is functional endoscopic sinus surgery?
FESS procedures are usually done under general anesthesia. The procedure can last from 1 to 3 hours, depending on your particular condition.