TUbe Removal

I am under the assumption that when an ear tube is removed in the office you can only bill and E/M code. However, when I tell my physician that, He asked if he could bill a removal of a foreign object with a dx code of 385.82 (retained foreign body of middle ear). I told him I did not think he could bill it this way? Any input on this issue with possible documentation to back the answer would be appreciated.
Thank you

Tube removal

That's correct - removal of a tympanostomy tube is included in the office E&M service. When it was placed, no one called it a "foreign object." :)

Kim Pollock, RN, MBA, CPC
KarenZupko & Associates, Inc.
www.karenzupko.com