February 2, 2016

Question:
I am trying to come up with the right CPT codes for this procedure so we can get it precertified. Can you help?

Answer:
Yes, you are wise to determine the correct codes for precertification, otherwise the surgery might not be paid if you billed different codes.  Look at 30465 – Repair of nasal vestibular stenosis (e.g., spreader grafting, lateral nasal wall reconstruction).  You may also report a separate code if you harvest graft material through a separate incision.  For example, you may report 20912 (Cartilage graft; nasal septum) if you harvest septal cartilage graft when you have not performed a septoplasty at the same operative session.  If you did a septoplasty (30520) and repair of nasal vestibular stenosis (30465) then you may not report 20912 for the septal cartilage graft harvested/obtained from the septoplasty.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 02/2/16.