CPT code 21338 designates an open reduction or realignment of nasal and ethmoid bone fractures via a nasal incision to restore function and cosmetic appearance. This surgical procedure addresses displaced fractures of the nasal skeleton and adjacent ethmoid structures and is relevant for patients presenting after facial trauma. Nationally, accurate coding of this procedure affects surgical case mix reporting, claims adjudication, and payment for specialist services in acute-care settings.

Key payers included in this analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise clinical context for the procedure, common payment and billing considerations, and reference points for where the procedure is typically performed. The publication summarizes benchmarks and policy-relevant points such as code definition, service setting, and clinical indications, and highlights areas where additional payer-specific guidance may be required.

This overview helps clinical coders, billing professionals, and policy analysts understand the procedural scope of CPT code 21338, its place within facial trauma care, and the types of documentation and surgical settings commonly associated with its use. Data not available in the input where payer-specific rates, diagnosis pairings, and utilization metrics would normally appear.