CPT 00160: Anesthesia for Nose and Accessory Sinuses
Commercial payers pay $96 on average nationally for this procedure.
CPT code 00160 describes anesthesia services provided for procedures on the nose and accessory sinuses, representing general anesthesia care for nasal and sinus surgery; this service type is anesthesia and the typical site of service is an operating room or surgical suite for procedures involving the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.
For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use Disorders, Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use Disorders, Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use Disorders.
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National Reimbursement Benchmarks
Commercial reimbursement for CPT 00160 centers around an average commercial (BUCA) rate of $96.10, with major national payers spanning meaningfully different medians and averages. Blue Cross Blue Shield shows a relatively low median ($64.30) and mean ($73.00), while Aetna skews much higher with a median of $164.00 and mean of $193.80. Cigna’s median ($86.00) and mean ($96.50) sit near BUCA’s average, and UnitedHealth Group’s median ($64.00) and mean ($67.40) are clustered on the lower end. These contrasts indicate payers price this code across a broad commercial spectrum rather than clustering tightly around a single level.
Dispersion measured as the interquartile range (P75–P25) highlights who is tightest and widest: Blue Cross Blue Shield has an IQR of $38.50 (P75 $93.90 minus P25 $52.40), UnitedHealth Group is the tightest at $28.90 (P75 $80.90 minus P25 $52.00), and Aetna is the widest at $149.00 (P75 $252.80 minus P25 $103.80). Cigna’s IQR is $58.60 (P75 $125.00 minus P25 $68.40) and BUCA’s IQR is $60.40 (P75 $123.40 minus P25 $63.60). These dispersion differences underscore how negotiation and network strategies vary materially by payer.