Question: I’m looking for the anesthesia code for a tympanostomy of the left ear, performed on a 10-month-old child. What’s the correct choice?
Answer: The correct code is 00126 (Anesthesia for procedures on external, middle, and inner ear including biopsy; tympanotomy).
Explanation: If you only consult CPT® when coding, some coders might select 00120 (Anesthesia for procedures on external, middle, and inner ear including biopsy; not otherwise specified) for anesthesia during tympanostomy. Checking the 2011 Relative Value Guide®, however, confirms that 00126 is the correct choice because of the notation “Includes tympanostomy” following the code descriptor. CPT® is a valuable resource, but having access to other tools such as the RVG® and the ASA Crosswalk® helps ensure accurate anesthesia coding.
