Crystal's MCW Coder Hub👂 Otolaryngology (ENT) Coding Reference
Common CPT Codes
| Code | Category | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 31231 | Diagnostic | Nasal endoscopy, diagnostic, unilateral or bilateral |
| 31575 | Diagnostic | Laryngoscopy, flexible; diagnostic |
| 69511 | Procedure | Removal impacted cerumen (Separate procedure) |
| 42820 | Procedure | tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy; under age 12 |
| 30520 | Procedure | Septoplasty or submucous resection of nasal septum |
Common ICD-10-CM Codes
- J32.9 - Chronic sinusitis, unspecified
- J34.2 - Deviated nasal septum
- H66.91 - Otitis media, unspecified, right ear
- R49.0 - dysphonia (Hoarseness)
Key Modifiers
- -51: Multiple procedures (very common in ENT sinus surgeries)
- -59: Distinct procedural service (used to unbundle codes when appropriate)
- -LT / -RT: Crucial for ear procedures.
📖 Specialty Etymology
| Term | Etymology | Breakdown |
|---|---|---|
| Otolaryngology | Gr. -ous (ear) + laryng- (throat) + logos (study) | Study of the ear and throat. |
| myringotomy | L. myringa (eardrum) + Gr. -tome (incision) | Incision into the eardrum. |
| Dysphagia | Gr. dys- (difficult/bad) + phagein (to eat) | Difficulty swallowing. |
| Rhinitis | Gr. rhis (nose) + -itis (inflammation) | Inflammation of the nose. |
H00-H59 - Diseases of the eye and adnexa
Code
H00-H59 - Diseases of the eye and adnexa
Notes
- Use an external cause code following the code for the eye condition, if applicable, to identify the cause of the eye condition
Not Included Here
- certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
- certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
- complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
- congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)
- diabetes mellitus related eye conditions (E09.3-, E10.3-, E11.3-, E13.3-)
- endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88)
- injury (trauma) of eye and orbit (S05.-)
- injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
- neoplasms (C00-D49)
- symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R94)
- syphilis related eye disorders (A50.01, A50.3-, A51.43, A52.71)
Code Tree
H00-H59 - Diseases of the eye and adnexa
- H00-H05 - Disorders of eyelid, lacrimal system and orbit
- H10-H11 - Disorders of conjunctiva
- H15-H22 - Disorders of sclera, cornea, iris and ciliary body
- H25-H28 - Disorders of lens
- H30-H36 - Disorders of choroid and retina
- H40-H42 - Glaucoma
- H43-H44 - Disorders of vitreous body and globe
- H46-H47 - Disorders of optic nerve and visual pathways
- H49-H52 - Disorders of ocular muscles, binocular movement, accommodation and refraction
- H53-H54 - Visual disturbances and blindness
- H55-H57 - Other disorders of eye and adnexa
- H59 - Intraoperative and postprocedural complications and disorders of eye and adnexa, not elsewhere classified
H60-H95 - Diseases of the ear and mastoid process
Code
H60-H95 - Diseases of the ear and mastoid process
Notes
- Use an external cause code following the code for the ear condition, if applicable, to identify the cause of the ear condition
Not Included Here
- certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
- certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
- complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
- congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)
- endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88)
- injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
- neoplasms (C00-D49)
- symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R94)
Code Tree
H60-H95 - Diseases of the ear and mastoid process
- H60-H62 - Diseases of external ear
- H65-H75 - Diseases of middle ear and mastoid
- H80-H83 - Diseases of inner ear
- H90-H94 - Other disorders of ear
- H95 - Intraoperative and postprocedural complications and disorders of ear and mastoid process, not elsewhere classified
Workflow Tip
Nasal endoscopy (31231) is frequently performed during an office visit. Remember that a Modifier -25 is required on the E/M code to ensure both the visit and the scope are paid.