30901, 30903 Not The Only Go-to Codes For Nosebleed Control

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When you are faced with an active nosebleed control situation and you're clueless about what to do, you might be missing out on as much as $196 in reimbursement. Being able to discern a reportable nosebleed encounter from an Evaluation/Management is a good first step to coding success; however you have other factors that you need to take into consideration.


Taking this scenario in mind, the following myths clarify some of your concerns:


An established patient reports to the office after sustaining injuries during a soccer game. Her face is hit by a ball, resulting in nose bleed and a black eye on the right side. The physician documents a detailed history, carries out a detailed exam and medical decision making is of moderate complexity. She also complains of a headache and facial pain apart from the nose bleed. The otolaryngologist can't stop the bleeding with ice or pressure; as such, she performs repeated and extensive cautery using a silver nitrate stick on both nostrils. The bleeding stops finally, and the physician orders an x-ray to ensure that the patient's nose is not broken. ...
... Results came back negative from the x-ray. How should you report this situation?


The first myth is that all nosebleeds are the same


As such, always be on the lookout for the type of nosebleed control your physician carries out.


The second myth is that physician's notes don't tell you anything


On the other hand, your physician's notes should be telling when you are choosing between 30901 and 30903.


The third myth is that nosebleed repair coding ends with 30901, 30903


Sometimes, the physician would be able to stop the bleeding using basic methods. In this situation, an E/M code would be just right. 'Basic methods' can include ice or brief direct pressure. In the same fashion, when patients present to the office complaining of nosebleed, however the physician sees no active bleeding, you should go for an E/M code.


For more specialty-specific articles to assist your otolaryngology coding, sign up for a good medical coding resource like Coding Institute.