PRECISION CODING, PERFECT SCORES:
30000 SERIES PRACTICUM FOR A+
SUCCESS (2026/2027)
Sinus endoscopy was inserted and a bilateral maxillary
antrostomy was performed, followed by right frontal sinus
exploration. A total ethmoidectomy bilaterally was also
performed.
a. 31256-50, 31276-RT, 31254-50
b. 31256-50, 31255-50-51, 31276-51-RT
c. 31256, 31255-51, 31254-51
d. 31276-RT, 31256-50-51, 31255 -50 -51 - THE CORRECT ANSWER-
31256-50, 31255-50-51, 31276-51-RT
Bilateral procedures are more significant than unilateral.
Sequence the highest CPT code first for bilateral procedures.
Add modifier 51 on all subsequent procedures.
Laryngoscopy
Coding Breakdown: - THE CORRECT ANSWER-Respiratory system
Larynx
Endoscopy
Direct/indirect
Specific procedure(s) performed
,Laryngoscopy
Coding Concepts: - THE CORRECT ANSWER-Diagnostic endoscopy is
inherent in any surgical laryngoscopy procedure. Indirect
utilizes mirrors to visualize the larynx (i.e., it is not directly
visualized). Direct utilizes a lighted scope that allows direct
visualization of larynx. Many laryngoscopies involve the use of
an operating microscope (69990), which is inherent in most of
these procedures.
The laryngoscope was introduced and direct visualization of the
vocal cords was completed. With the use of an operating
microscope, injection of the vocal cords was completed.
a. 31570
b. 31571
c. 31513
d. 31505 - THE CORRECT ANSWER-31571
The procedure was performed directly; therefore, code 31571 is
appropriate. Assign direct laryngoscopy with use of operating
microscope to 31571.
Bronchoscopy
Coding Breakdown: - THE CORRECT ANSWER-Respiratory system
Trachea and bronchi
Endoscopy
Specific procedure(s) performed
Bronchoscopy
,Coding Concepts: - THE CORRECT ANSWER-Fluoroscopic guidance
included in all bronchoscopic procedures.
Diagnostic endoscopy is inherent in any surgical bronchoscopy
procedure.
BAL stands for bronchial alveolar lavage.
Three types of biopsies:
1. Bronchial mucosal (31625) is reported once only.
2. Transbronchial lung (31628/31632) is reported per lobe.
3. Transbronchial needle biopsy (31629/31633) is reported per
lobe.
A bronchoscope was inserted and examination of the left and
right main bronchus was completed. A total of three
endobronchial biopsies were obtained.
a. 31625, 31622-51
b. 31622, 31625-51
c. 31625
d. 31625 X 3 - THE CORRECT ANSWER-31625
Diagnostic bronchoscopy is inherent in any surgical endoscopy;
therefore, code 31622 is not appropriate. Assign CPT code
31625 only once regardless of the number of biopsies
performed.
Thoracentesis
Coding Breakdown - THE CORRECT ANSWER-Respiratory system
Lungs and pleura
, Introduction/removal
With/without guidance
Thoracentesis
Coding Concepts: - THE CORRECT ANSWER-32554/32555: catheter
inserted, fluid removed, catheter removed 32556/32557:
catheter inserted, left in place for further drainage
Cardiovascular
System Pacemakers/Defibrillators Coding Breakdown: - THE
CORRECT ANSWER-Cardiovascular
Heart and pericardium
Pacemaker or implantable defibrillator
Permanent/temporary/replacement With leads/without leads
Single lead/dual lead
Cardiovascular System
Pacemaker/Defibrillator
Coding Concepts: - THE CORRECT ANSWER-The battery is the pulse
generator. Coding "grid" for pacemakers:
1) Identify whether pacemaker (left column) or defibrillator
(right column) is being addressed
2) Identify insertion, replacement, or removal
3) Identify number of leads
The physician performs surgical creation ofa pocket for a
pacemaker pulse generator. Atrial and ventricular leads are
30000 SERIES PRACTICUM FOR A+
SUCCESS (2026/2027)
Sinus endoscopy was inserted and a bilateral maxillary
antrostomy was performed, followed by right frontal sinus
exploration. A total ethmoidectomy bilaterally was also
performed.
a. 31256-50, 31276-RT, 31254-50
b. 31256-50, 31255-50-51, 31276-51-RT
c. 31256, 31255-51, 31254-51
d. 31276-RT, 31256-50-51, 31255 -50 -51 - THE CORRECT ANSWER-
31256-50, 31255-50-51, 31276-51-RT
Bilateral procedures are more significant than unilateral.
Sequence the highest CPT code first for bilateral procedures.
Add modifier 51 on all subsequent procedures.
Laryngoscopy
Coding Breakdown: - THE CORRECT ANSWER-Respiratory system
Larynx
Endoscopy
Direct/indirect
Specific procedure(s) performed
,Laryngoscopy
Coding Concepts: - THE CORRECT ANSWER-Diagnostic endoscopy is
inherent in any surgical laryngoscopy procedure. Indirect
utilizes mirrors to visualize the larynx (i.e., it is not directly
visualized). Direct utilizes a lighted scope that allows direct
visualization of larynx. Many laryngoscopies involve the use of
an operating microscope (69990), which is inherent in most of
these procedures.
The laryngoscope was introduced and direct visualization of the
vocal cords was completed. With the use of an operating
microscope, injection of the vocal cords was completed.
a. 31570
b. 31571
c. 31513
d. 31505 - THE CORRECT ANSWER-31571
The procedure was performed directly; therefore, code 31571 is
appropriate. Assign direct laryngoscopy with use of operating
microscope to 31571.
Bronchoscopy
Coding Breakdown: - THE CORRECT ANSWER-Respiratory system
Trachea and bronchi
Endoscopy
Specific procedure(s) performed
Bronchoscopy
,Coding Concepts: - THE CORRECT ANSWER-Fluoroscopic guidance
included in all bronchoscopic procedures.
Diagnostic endoscopy is inherent in any surgical bronchoscopy
procedure.
BAL stands for bronchial alveolar lavage.
Three types of biopsies:
1. Bronchial mucosal (31625) is reported once only.
2. Transbronchial lung (31628/31632) is reported per lobe.
3. Transbronchial needle biopsy (31629/31633) is reported per
lobe.
A bronchoscope was inserted and examination of the left and
right main bronchus was completed. A total of three
endobronchial biopsies were obtained.
a. 31625, 31622-51
b. 31622, 31625-51
c. 31625
d. 31625 X 3 - THE CORRECT ANSWER-31625
Diagnostic bronchoscopy is inherent in any surgical endoscopy;
therefore, code 31622 is not appropriate. Assign CPT code
31625 only once regardless of the number of biopsies
performed.
Thoracentesis
Coding Breakdown - THE CORRECT ANSWER-Respiratory system
Lungs and pleura
, Introduction/removal
With/without guidance
Thoracentesis
Coding Concepts: - THE CORRECT ANSWER-32554/32555: catheter
inserted, fluid removed, catheter removed 32556/32557:
catheter inserted, left in place for further drainage
Cardiovascular
System Pacemakers/Defibrillators Coding Breakdown: - THE
CORRECT ANSWER-Cardiovascular
Heart and pericardium
Pacemaker or implantable defibrillator
Permanent/temporary/replacement With leads/without leads
Single lead/dual lead
Cardiovascular System
Pacemaker/Defibrillator
Coding Concepts: - THE CORRECT ANSWER-The battery is the pulse
generator. Coding "grid" for pacemakers:
1) Identify whether pacemaker (left column) or defibrillator
(right column) is being addressed
2) Identify insertion, replacement, or removal
3) Identify number of leads
The physician performs surgical creation ofa pocket for a
pacemaker pulse generator. Atrial and ventricular leads are
