For extensive bilateral anterior cautery and packing performed on a patient with severe epistaxis, what code is reported?

Prepare for the CPT Surgery Coding Test. Access diverse questions with hints and explanations. Enhance your medical coding skills and increase your success rate for the certification exam.

The code for extensive bilateral anterior cautery and packing performed for severe epistaxis is 30903-50. This code specifically refers to the procedure of cauterizing the nasal mucosa (anterior nasal cautery) for the management of bleeding, utilizing a bilateral modifier to indicate that the procedure was done on both sides of the nasal passages.

In this case, the additional modifier "50" is crucial because it indicates that the procedure was performed bilaterally. Using this modifier allows for proper reimbursement as it reflects the scope and complexity of the surgical intervention, making clear that both sides required attention due to the severity of the epistaxis.

The other options do not fit the scenario: Some pertain to different types of surgical procedures that aren't relevant to nasal cautery or epistaxis management, thus making them unsuitable for this specific coding requirement. The correct choice reflects the precise nature of the treatment administered, ensuring clarity in documentation and billing for the surgical procedure.

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