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Ask a Rev Cycle Expert: Coding for Foreign Body Removal Without Incision?

Question:

Our physician removed the back of an earring from a pediatric patient, where the earring was imbedded in the back of the ear. After irrigating the ear, a scab was removed, then the earring back was able to be unscrewed from the earring and removed. What code would be reported?

Answer:

Because the skin was not incised, the service would be reported with an evaluation and management (E/M) level.

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