Need help choosing the right code?
Ask CasePilot about procedures, modifiers, bundling, and coding guidance.
Try CasePilot© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Otoplasty, as defined by CPT® Code 69300, is a surgical procedure aimed at correcting protruding ears, which may be performed with or without a reduction in size. This procedure is particularly relevant for individuals who have ears that stick out more than is considered typical, which can lead to aesthetic concerns and, in some cases, psychological distress. The surgery involves making an incision behind the ear, specifically in the natural skin fold located between the ear and the skull. This strategic placement of the incision helps to conceal any scarring post-surgery. Once the incision is made, the underlying cartilage of the auricle, commonly known as the pinna, is exposed. The surgeon then carefully trims and shapes the cartilage to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing size and form of the ear. After the desired shape is attained, the cartilage is repositioned closer to the skull and secured in place using permanent sutures. This ensures that the auricle maintains its new position. Additionally, any excess skin is trimmed away, and the incision is meticulously closed with sutures, completing the procedure. Otoplasty can significantly enhance the appearance of the ears, contributing to improved self-esteem and confidence for those undergoing the surgery.
© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
Otoplasty is indicated for individuals with protruding ears, which may be a source of self-consciousness or social anxiety. The procedure is suitable for patients who desire a more aesthetically pleasing ear shape and position, and it can be performed on both children and adults. Specific indications include:
The otoplasty procedure involves several key steps to achieve the desired outcome. These steps are as follows:
Following the otoplasty procedure, patients are typically monitored for a short period to ensure there are no immediate complications. Post-operative care includes keeping the head elevated to reduce swelling and wearing a protective headband or dressing as advised by the surgeon. Patients may experience some discomfort, swelling, and bruising, which are normal and should gradually subside. It is essential to follow the surgeon's instructions regarding activity restrictions and care of the surgical site to promote optimal healing. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled to monitor the healing process and assess the results of the surgery.
| Short Descr | REVISE EXTERNAL EAR | Medium Descr | OTOPLASTY PROTRUDING EAR W/WO SIZE RDCTJ | Long Descr | Otoplasty, protruding ear, with or without size reduction | Status Code | Restricted Coverage | Global Days | YYY - Carrier Determines Whether Global Concept Applies | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC | ASC Payment Indicator | Surgical procedure on ASC list in CY 2007; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P1G - Major procedure - Other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 26 - Other therapeutic ear procedures |
| 22 | Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | 50 | Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 51 | Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | 79 | Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.) | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | Q6 | Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2017-01-01 | Changed | Moderate (Conscious) Sedation flag removed. See new Moderate Sedation category. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.