The Essential Guide to Coding in Otolaryngology: Coding, Billing, and Practice Management, 2nd edn

Review by L Flood
Middlesborough, UK

I reviewed the first edition of this book for The Journal of Laryngology and Otology back in 2016.1 I approached that task convinced that it could only be of relevance to our US readers, but was soon impressed by the generic content on practice management and how to avoid financial ruin, whether in private or institutional practice.

The update is timely for US readers, as there have been major changes in rules, coding practices and documentation needs, not to mention new techniques and technologies.

Chapter 5, entitled ‘Successful Strategies in Billing’, I did highlight last time as invaluable for any ‘labourer worthy of his hire’ (Luke 10; 7). A new chapter, ‘The Office Visit’, reports of local changes to coding and regulation, but what impressed is that these were introduced as recently as January 2021. Later chapters focus on our subspecialties, with titles such as ‘Office Rhinology’, ‘Laryngology’, ‘Otology’, ‘Paediatric Otolaryngology’ and ‘Facial Plastic Surgery’. Then comes coverage of specific surgical coding, even including robotic surgery, all with nicely updated references. Highly topical, mid-pandemic, is Chapter 12, entitled ‘Billing and Coding for Telehealth Visits’. Again, the authors and publishers deserve praise for this section, which is supported by nine references, two dated 2020 and the rest 2021.

At a time when new texts are few and far between, all who contributed are to be congratulated on the speed with which this has appeared in print. It is in a large spiral bound paperback format, ideal for rapid browsing and checking of codes. It will obviously appeal far more to our readers ‘over the Pond’, but is still filled with useful tips for all in private practice worldwide.

1 Flood L. The Essential Guide to Coding in Otolaryngology: Coding, Billing, and Practice Management [book review]. J Laryngol Otol 2016;130:978

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