Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) Practice Exam 2026 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Achieve Exam Success!

The appropriate code for an endoscopic sinusotomy with bilateral anterior ethmoidectomy is identified as 31254-50. This coding reflects the procedure's complexity and takes into consideration the bilateral nature of the surgical intervention.

When coding for surgical procedures, it's critical to acknowledge when a procedure is performed on both sides of the body. The addition of the modifier "-50" is essential here, as it indicates that the procedure was performed bilaterally. This modifier helps ensure that the insurance reimbursement is reflective of the additional work and resources involved in operating on both sides.

Although the other codes may appear relevant, they either do not adequately capture the bilateral aspect of the procedure or do not correspond to the specific operations performed. Therefore, using 31254-50 accurately represents both the type of procedure performed (endoscopic sinusotomy with anterior ethmoidectomy) and acknowledges that it was conducted on both sides, complying with coding guidelines for bilateral procedures.