microscope

Can we bill for microscope use (69990) when doing cerumen removal?

microscope

In the CPT book, right before the description of the Operating Microscope code, 69990, is a list of codes with which you can add on 69990. Cerumen removal, 69210, is not one of them.

microscope

I just reviewed the CPT Assistant from July 2005 about cerumen removal, and posted an article about it. (Search on cerumen) Here is what the CPT Assistant says:

Add-on code 69990, Microsurgical techniques, requiring use of operating microscope (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure), should not be reported if the operating microscope is used for cerumen removal. In this later instance, however, code 92504, Binocular microscopy (separate diagnostic procedure), may be reported.