Summary & Overview
CPT 69716: Bone‑Anchored Magnetic Auditory Implant, Mastoid
CPT code 69716 represents the surgical implantation of a bone‑anchored, magnetically coupled auditory device placed in the mastoid/temporal bone to transmit sound energy to the inner ear through intact skin. This code captures a specific class of implant procedures that remove less than 100 mm² of bone surface and use a transcutaneous magnetic coupling to an external speech processor. Nationally, these implant procedures are significant because they address conductive, mixed, or unilateral sensorineural hearing loss in patients who are candidates for bone‑conduction hearing solutions.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context and procedural specifics tied to this code, along with national benchmarking summaries and relevant policy considerations that affect coverage and coding practice. The content outlines typical sites of service, the clinical purpose of the device, and the aspects of the procedure that distinguish 69716 from other otologic implants. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable. The publication is intended to help coding professionals, policy analysts, and clinical administrators quickly understand what this code denotes, which payers commonly cover it, and which topics to consider when aligning clinical documentation and billing for these procedures.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 69716 describes the surgical implantation of a bone‑anchored device in the skull that converts sound energy for reception by the inner ear. The procedure is performed in the mastoid region (the bone behind the ear) and involves removal of less than 100 square millimeters of bone surface. The implant is a magnetically coupled device that communicates transcutaneously with an external speech processor through intact skin.
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Service type: Surgical implant of a bone‑anchored, magnetically coupled auditory device
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Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or ambulatory surgical center, with the operative field centered on the mastoid/temporal bone
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 45-year-old adult with unilateral conductive or mixed hearing loss who cannot use conventional hearing aids due to chronic external ear canal disease or anatomical issues presents for evaluation. The otolaryngologist and audiologist confirm bone conduction is appropriate via audiometric testing and CT imaging of the temporal bones to assess mastoid anatomy and rule out middle ear contraindications. The patient undergoes preoperative counseling, medical clearance, and surgical scheduling.
On the day of surgery the patient receives general anesthesia and is positioned for a postauricular approach. The surgeon creates a small cortical mastoid bed and implants a magnetically coupled, transcutaneous bone-anchored hearing implant (69716) into the mastoid bone with less than 100 sq mm bone removal. Hemostasis is obtained and the incision is closed. Postoperative steps include short recovery, pain control, wound care instructions, and post-op audiology activation of the external speech processor after appropriate healing (typically several weeks). Follow-up visits assess wound healing, implant stability, and audiologic benefit.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | Default/No modifier | General use when no specific modifier applies |