Trends in Billing and Medicare Reimbursement for In-Office Cerumen Removal by Otolaryngologists and Other Providers.

Objectives: To analyze trends in billing patterns, Medicare reimbursement, and practice-setting for otolaryngologists (ORLs) and other provider types performing in-office cerumen removal.

Methods: This retrospective study included data on Medicare-billing providers from the Medicare Part B: Provider Utilization and Payment Datafiles (2012-2018). Number of providers performing in-office cerumen removal, total sums and medians for Medicare reimbursements and services, and services per patient were gathered along with geographic distributions.

Five-item odorant test as an indicator of COVID-19 infection in a general population.

Purpose: To analyze the utility of a 5-item odorant test (U-Smell-It™) in determining COVID-19 status in COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive and -negative participants.

Methods: Symptoms, COVID-19 status, and 5-item odorant test results were collected from general population COVID-19 testing in Louisiana (n = 1042), and routine COVID-19 screening of healthcare workers in a nursing home in Florida (n = 278) (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04431908).

Ambulatory surgery centers: A 2012 to 2018 analysis on growth in number of centers, utilization, Medicare services, and Medicare reimbursements.

Background: Given declining reimbursements and potential financial conflicts of interest in ownership, it is important to continually assess ambulatory surgery center role and growth. The objective of this study is to evaluate scope of practice, number of patients served, number of procedures performed, and revenue of ambulatory surgery centers within a Medicare fee-for-service population.

Methods: This retrospective study includes data from Medicare Part B: Provider Utilization and Payment Datafiles (2012-2018).

Rhinology Medicare reimbursements have not been keeping up with inflation.

Background: Studies have suggested that physicians are steadily being paid less per Medicare service over time based on inflation-adjusted dollars. The objective of this study was to determine whether this phenomenon was true for rhinologic procedures.

Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of the 2000-2021 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Physician Fee Schedule investigating fees for in-office endoscopies (Current Procedural Terminology [CPT] codes 31231-31238), in-office balloon ostial dilation (CPTs 31295-31298), in-facility low-relative value unit (RVU) surgeries (<10 work RVUs [wRVUs]; CPTs 31239-31288 and 61782), and in-facility high-RVU surgeries (>10 wRVUs; CPTs 31290-31294).

Characterizing Medicare Reimbursements and Clinical Activity Among Female Otolaryngologists.

Objective: To evaluate geographic and temporal trends in Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) billing and reimbursements across female otolaryngologists (ORL).

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional, retrospective analysis of the 2017 Medicare Physician and Other Suppliers Aggregate File. We analyzed differences in the number of services, patients, reimbursements, unique Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes used, and services billed per patient among female ORLs.

Assessing Human Papillomavirus Awareness and the Role of Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Education on Improving Intention to Vaccinate.

Objectives/hypothesis: The current state of the U.S. public's knowledge of the relationship between human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccinations to oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is unknown.

Billing patterns for in-office computerized tomography scans of the face/sinus by otolaryngologists.

Purpose: To evaluate billing trends, Medicare reimbursement, and practice setting for Medicare-billing otolaryngologists (ORLs) performing in-office face computerized tomography (CT) scans.

Methods: This retrospective study included data on Medicare-billing ORLs from Medicare Part B: Provider Utilization and Payment Datafiles (2012-2018). Number of Medicare-billing ORLs performing in-office CT scans, and total sums and medians for Medicare reimbursements, services performed, and number of patients were gathered along with geographic and practice-type distributions.

Adverse Events Associated With Corticosteroid-Eluting Sinus Stents: A MAUDE Database Analysis.

Objective: Corticosteroid-eluting stents (CESs) are increasingly used after endoscopic sinus surgery to reduce the need for revision surgery, but their use is not without risks. The objective of this study is to describe adverse events related to CESs.

Study Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study.

A 2020 Update on Public Awareness of Head and Neck Cancers.

Objective: To assess knowledge regarding head and neck cancers (HNCs) in 2020, factors associated with knowledge of the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in HNCs, and factors associated with exposure to Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week (OHANCAW).

Study Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Setting: Online.

Role and Growth of Independent Medicare-Billing Otolaryngologic Advanced Practice Providers.

Objective: To evaluate the role and growth of independently billing otolaryngology (ORL) advanced practice providers (APPs) within a Medicare population.

Study Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study.

Setting: Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Data: Physician and Other Supplier Data Files, 2012-2017.

Adverse Events Associated With ClariFix Posterior Nasal Nerve Cryoablation: A MAUDE Database Analysis.

Posterior nasal nerve (PNN) cryoablation is a novel surgical technique used to address chronic rhinitis. The purpose of this study is to review the medical device reports (MDRs) submitted to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Manufacturer and User Device Facility Experience (MAUDE) database to identify adverse events related to the use of ClariFix, a device designed for office-based cryosurgical ablation of the PNN. A total of 12 adverse events associated with ClariFix from January 2017 to August 2020 were identified and analyzed.

Characterizing the providers of and reimbursement for chronic migraine chemodenervation among the Medicare population.

Objective: To characterize reimbursement trends and providers for chronic migraine (CM) chemodenervation treatment within the Medicare population since the introduction of the migraine-specific CPT code in 2013.

Methods: We describe trends in procedure volume and total allowed charge on cross-sectional data obtained from 2013 to 2018 Medicare Part B National Summary files. We also utilized the 2017 Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Data to analyze higher volume providers (>10 procedures) of this treatment modality.

High-Volume Billing and Reimbursement Trends for Endoscopic Swallowing Studies in the Medicare Population.

The aim of this study is to delineate the reimbursement trends in fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing with sensory testing (FEESST) and without sensory testing (FEES) in relation to that of speech-language pathology's (SLP) portion of modified barium swallow studies (MBS), as well as to document the types of providers billing for these procedures. We performed descriptive analyses of the volume of FEES/FEESST and MBS, and total reimbursements data obtained from 2013-2018 Medicare Part B National Summary files. We also utilized the 2017 Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Data to analyze the higher volume providers (> 10 procedures annually) of either FEES and/or FEESST.

COVID-19's Impact on the 2020-2021 Resident Match: A Survey of Otolaryngology Program Directors.

Objective: To determine the impact coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) will have on the 2020-2021 otolaryngology (OTO-HNS) resident application cycle.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey targeting OTO-HNS program directors (PD) was created and disseminated via email to PDs on May 28th 2020. Descriptive analyses of the 19-question survey was performed, and free text responses for certain suitable questions were thematically categorized into groups determined to be relevant during analysis.

Resumption of Otolaryngology Surgical Practice in the Setting of Regionally Receding COVID-19.

The practice of otolaryngology has been drastically altered as a consequence of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Geographic heterogeneity in COVID-19 burden has meant different regions have experienced the pandemic at different stages. Regional dynamics of COVID-19 incidence has dictated the available resources for the provision of surgical care.

A Review of Telemedicine Applications in Otorhinolaryngology: Considerations During the Coronavirus Disease of 2019 Pandemic.

Objective/hypothesis: Review the published literature of telemedicine's use within otorhinolaryngology (ORL), highlight its successful implementation, and document areas with need of future research.

Study Design: State of the Art Review.

Methods: Three independent, comprehensive searches for articles published on the subject of telemedicine in ORL were conducted of literature available from January 2000 to April 2020.

The temporal effects of topical NF- inhibition, in the prevention of bile-related oncogenic mRNA and miRNA phenotypes in murine hypopharyngeal mucosa: a preclinical model.

Supraesophageal bile reflux at strongly acidic pH can cause hypopharyngeal squamous cell cancer, through activation of the oncogenic NF-κB-related pathway. We hypothesize that topical pre- or post-application of pharmacologic NF-κB inhibitor, BAY 11-7082 (0.25 μmol), on murine (C57BL/6J) HM (twice a day for 10 days) can effectively inhibit acidic bile (10 mmol/l; pH 3.

Otolaryngology Match 2020-21: Survey of Prospective Applicants in the Setting of COVID-19.

Objectives: To capture the perspectives of candidates applying for otolaryngology residency positions in the 2020-21 cycle, in the context of disruption caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Subjects And Methods: Candidates planning to apply to the otolaryngology 2020-21 match were invited to complete a cross-sectional online survey. Distribution was via otomatch.

A Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience Analysis of Upper Aerodigestive Endoscopy Contamination: Is Flexible Laryngoscopy Different?

Objectives/hypothesis: Several recent studies have observed a high incidence of duodenoscope microbial contamination and an association of contamination with healthcare-acquired infections. This study sought to quantify nasopharyngoscope microbial contamination relative to that of other endoscope categories and characterize the manufacturers, outcomes, and microbial profiles associated with these cases.

Study Design: Retrospective, cross-sectional study.

Outpatient Otolaryngology in the Era of COVID-19: A Data-Driven Analysis of Practice Patterns.

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has induced a prioritization of acute care and telehealth, affecting the quantity of patients seen and the modality of their care.

Study Design: Retrospective review.

Setting: Single-institution study conducted within the Division of Otolaryngology at the Yale School of Medicine.