Practice and Advocacy
AAO-HNS StoreLaryngoscopy and Bronchoscopy
Complete assessment of the airway for potential pathology requires both direct laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy. In most cases, these procedures require separate and distinct instrumentation and/or anesthetic management. It is the position of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery that, in such cases, CPT codes 31525 ("Laryngoscopy direct, with or without, tracheoscopy; diagnostic, except newborn") and 31622 ("Bronchoscopy diagnostic, flexible or rigid") are appropriately reimbursed as distinct and separately identifiable procedures. Denial of payment for these codes on the basis of unbundling is inaccurate, since the procedures are complimentary and cannot be billed under a single code.
Adopted 9/12/98
Guidelines are not a substitute for the experience and judgment of a physician and are developed to enhance the physicians' ability to practice evidence-based medicine.
Important Notice
The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Inc. and Foundation (AAO-HNS/F) Policy Statements are guidelines only. In no sense do they represent a standard of care. The applicability of an indicator for a procedure, and/or of the process or outcome criteria, must be determined by the responsible physician in light of all the circumstances presented by the individual patient. Adherence to these guidelines will not ensure successful treatment in every situation. The AAO-HNS emphasizes that these policies should not be deemed inclusive of all proper treatment decisions or methods of care, nor exclusive of other treatment decisions or methods of care reasonably directed to obtaining the same results.
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Practice Management Workshops
Workshops held in cities nationwide will help otolaryngologists, their staff, and other healthcare professionals code correctly, learn risk reduction strategies, and organize business systems.
