November 2, 2017

Question:
Can I bill 31525 (31526) for a diagnostic laryngoscopy performed at the same operative session as the laryngectomy (31360)?  I do this map out the tumor for the laryngectomy and make sure there are no secondary tumors that may have occurred since I scoped the patient previously.

Answer:
A diagnostic endoscopy is included in a definitive therapeutic surgical procedure code when performed on the same anatomic structure at the same operative session in the situation you describe.  Therefore, it should not be separately reported.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 11/02/17.