How To Use CPT Code 69979

CPT 69979 describes a specific procedure performed on the auditory system using a middle fossa approach. This article will cover the official description, procedure details, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 69979?

CPT 69979 is a code used to report temporal bone procedures in the auditory system that do not have a specific code. It is used when a provider performs a procedure on the auditory system using a middle fossa approach that is not represented by any of the standard and active CPT codes available.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 69979 is: ‘Unlisted procedure, temporal bone, middle fossa approach.’

3. Procedure

1. The provider performs a procedure on the auditory system using a middle fossa approach.
2. The procedure involves accessing the middle cranial fossa, which is the butterfly-shaped depressed area at the base of the cranial cavity where the temporal lobes of the brain and the pituitary glands reside.
3. The procedure specifically targets the temporal bone, which is a bone on the side of the skull.
4. Details of the specific procedure will vary depending on the patient’s condition and the provider’s approach.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 69979 is used when there is no specific code available to accurately describe the procedure performed on the auditory system using a middle fossa approach. It is important to note that CPT guidelines instruct against choosing a code that only approximates the service provided. Instead, the unlisted procedure code should be used when no specific procedure or service code exists.

5. When to use CPT code 69979

CPT code 69979 should be used when a provider performs a temporal bone procedure in the auditory system using a middle fossa approach that does not have a specific code. It is important to ensure that there is no other appropriate code available before reporting CPT 69979.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 69979, it is crucial to provide thorough documentation. This should include a cover letter explaining the reason for choosing the unlisted code instead of a defined, active code. Additionally, include one or more similar codes and compare the service to those codes to justify the claim amount being billed. Operative notes or other relevant documentation should also be included to strengthen the claim and avoid possible denial.

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 69979, it is important to follow specific guidelines. Ensure that the procedure is performed using a middle fossa approach on the temporal bone in the auditory system. If there is a Category III code available that represents the procedure, it should be reported instead of an unlisted procedure code. It is crucial to provide comprehensive documentation to support the claim and increase the likelihood of payment.

8. Historical information

CPT 69979 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A provider performs a temporal bone procedure using a middle fossa approach to address a specific condition in the auditory system.
2. A patient requires a procedure on the auditory system that does not have a specific code, and the provider performs it using a middle fossa approach.
3. A provider performs a complex procedure on the temporal bone in the auditory system using a middle fossa approach to address a unique case.
4. A patient presents with a condition in the auditory system that requires a procedure not represented by any standard CPT codes, and the provider performs it using a middle fossa approach.
5. A provider performs a delicate procedure on the auditory system using a middle fossa approach to address a complex issue.
6. A patient requires a specialized procedure on the temporal bone in the auditory system, and the provider performs it using a middle fossa approach due to the specific nature of the case.
7. A provider performs a procedure on the auditory system using a middle fossa approach to address a rare condition that does not have a specific code.
8. A patient undergoes a temporal bone procedure in the auditory system, and the provider utilizes a middle fossa approach to ensure optimal results.
9. A provider performs a procedure on the auditory system using a middle fossa approach to address a challenging case that requires a unique approach.
10. A patient requires a procedure on the temporal bone in the auditory system, and the provider performs it using a middle fossa approach to achieve the desired outcome.