CPT
60500 — Parathyroidectomy or exploration of parathyroid gland
Verify the code matches the actual service and dose.
ENT
69210 — Removal of impacted cerumen requiring instrumentation, one or both ears
This code covers the removal of impacted earwax using instruments such as a curette, suction, or irrigation.
- Typical setting: Hospital OR, ENT clinic
- National avg charge (illustrative): $45-$100 Medicare allowed (approx. $50-$80 national Medicare average; commercial payers $60-$130)
- Most-disputed reason: Billing 69210 without documentation of impaction: cerumen removal is only separately billable when the earwax is impacted (blocking the canal) — routine wax cleaning during a physical exam is not separately billable
What it means
What 69210 actually means
This code covers the removal of impacted earwax using instruments such as a curette, suction, or irrigation. It is an office procedure commonly performed by primary care doctors, ENT specialists, or audiologists. The code covers one or both ears in the same session. Earwax removal that does not require instrumentation is considered part of a regular office visit.
Common errors with this code
What goes wrong on real bills.
Most bills that look correct still contain at least one of these issues. Up to 49% of medical bills contain errors (CFPB).
- Billing 69210 without documentation of impaction: cerumen removal is only separately billable when the earwax is impacted (blocking the canal) — routine wax cleaning during a physical exam is not separately billable
- Billing both E/M and 69210 without modifier -25: if an office visit E/M code and cerumen removal are billed on the same day, modifier -25 must be appended to the E/M code to indicate a separate and significant service
- Over-frequency billing: billing cerumen removal at every visit when documentation does not consistently support recurrent impaction as the reason for each encounter
If you see 69210 on your bill
Three steps before paying.
1. Get the itemized bill. If your statement only shows a summary, request the CPT-level itemized bill before paying. Generate the request language →
2. Cross-check against the EOB. Compare what your insurer's Explanation of Benefits says you owe versus what the hospital is asking. They disagree more often than people think. Read the bill-vs-EOB guide →
3. Run a free Bill Scan. Upload the bill (and EOB if you have it) and BillBusted will flag the most likely issues with this specific code in your specific state. Run free scan →
Related codes
Other codes in this category.
People who land on 69210 often also see these adjacent codes on the same bill.
CPT
62323 — Lumbar/sacral epidural; diagnostic or therapeutic, imaging guidance
Verify the code matches the actual service and dose.
CPT
64483 — Epidural injection, lumbar/sacral, single level
Common procedure with frequent coding errors around bilateral and fluoroscopy.
CPT
64493 — Paravertebral facet joint/nerve, lumbar or sacral; single level
Verify the code matches the actual service and dose.
CPT
66984 — Extracapsular cataract removal with intraocular lens prosthesis, one stage
Verify the code matches the actual service and dose.
Related BillBusted guides
Plain-English reads if you see 69210 on a bill.
69210 FAQ
Plain-English answers.
What does 69210 usually cost?
$45-$100 Medicare allowed (approx. $50-$80 national Medicare average; commercial payers $60-$130). Costs vary by region, payer contract, and whether the service was performed in a hospital outpatient department (which adds a facility fee) versus a free-standing clinic.
What's the most common billing error on 69210?
Billing 69210 without documentation of impaction: cerumen removal is only separately billable when the earwax is impacted (blocking the canal) — routine wax cleaning during a physical exam is not separately billable
What should I do if I see 69210 on my bill?
Request the itemized bill and the matching EOB from your insurer. Compare the units/quantity billed against what you actually received. Run a free BillBusted scan to flag the most likely errors specific to 69210 before paying.
Don't pay 69210 blindly.
The free scan tells you in under 60 seconds whether this charge looks reasonable for your situation.