GOLDEN VALLEY, MINNESOTA – Preceptis Medical, Inc. revealed today that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has established a new add-on G code, effective January 1, 2025, to cover pediatric tympanostomy tube procedures performed in-office. This decision, part of the CY2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule, marks a significant advancement in expanding access to safe and efficient ear tube treatments for children, while also facilitating reimbursement for healthcare providers utilizing devices like the Hummingbird® Tympanostomy Tube System (Hummingbird® TTS).
The new G code provides a standardized reimbursement framework for physicians performing pediatric ear tube procedures outside of the operating room, acknowledging the additional resources and efforts required for in-office care.
HCPCS Code Details:
- Code: G0561
- Description: Tympanostomy with local or topical anesthesia and insertion of a ventilating tube when performed with a tympanostomy tube delivery device, unilateral (List separately in addition to 69433)
Improved Access to Care and Patient Safety
Tympanostomy tube placement remains one of the most frequently performed procedures for children in the United States, with nearly one million procedures conducted each year. Ear tubes help manage ear infections and other ear conditions, but the traditional approach often involves surgery under general anesthesia in a hospital setting.
By using an FDA-cleared tympanostomy tube delivery device, such as the Hummingbird® TTS, the procedure can be safely completed in an office environment, reducing the risks and costs associated with operating room surgeries. Clinical data shows that 98% of pediatric patients successfully received ear tubes in the office using the Hummingbird® TTS, with no reported serious adverse events and full procedural tolerance as reviewed by independent physicians.
“The establishment of this new HCPCS code by CMS is a significant milestone for the adoption of pediatric in-office tympanostomy procedures. By expanding reimbursement, we are improving access to high-quality care for children and reducing a burden on families.”
–Dr. Shelagh Cofer, Associate Professor of Otolaryngology at Mayo Clinic
Streamlining Ear Tube Placement
Preceptis Medical developed the Hummingbird® TTS to streamline ear tube placement with a single pass through the eardrum, making the procedure simpler and more efficient for both ENT specialists and their young patients. The device received initial FDA clearance in 2020 for use in children as young as six months old and has since been utilized commercially at select sites across the country.
“Pediatric-specific codes are very rare. The CMS issuance of an add-on G code for in-office pediatric ear tube procedures is an incredibly important milestone. CMS, the largest and most important healthcare insurer in the US, recognized the value of transitioning pediatric ear tube procedures from the operating room to the office, stating that office ear tube procedures are less invasive and can offer significant benefits such as reduction of risks associated with general anesthesia, quicker recovery, and improved access to care.”
–Steve Anderson, CEO of Preceptis Medical
The introduction of this new code ensures fair compensation for healthcare providers, making the in-office procedure more sustainable and encouraging broader adoption. “This is a very important step to providing equal access to in-office ear tube procedures for all children. We appreciate the thoughtful approach from CMS and the support the proposal received from other stakeholders, including the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery,” said Joe Delgado, CFO and GM of Healthcare Services at Preceptis Medical.
About Preceptis Medical
Founded in 2011, Preceptis Medical is a pioneering medical technology company dedicated to offering less invasive ear tube procedures for children. The company’s FDA-cleared Hummingbird® Tympanostomy Tube System is designed to simplify ear tube placement, addressing risks associated with pediatric general anesthesia. For more information, visit hummingbirdeartubes.com.
About CMS and the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is responsible for managing major healthcare programs in the United States, including Medicare and Medicaid. The Medicare Physician Fee Schedule outlines reimbursement rates for services provided to Medicare beneficiaries, and the inclusion of the new add-on G code highlights CMS’s commitment to expanding access to safer, cost-effective care.
Source: Preceptis Medical
