Summary & Overview
CPT 30000: Nasal Cavity Aspiration for Abscess or Hematoma
CPT code 30000 denotes aspiration of excess fluid from the nasal cavity, typically performed to drain an abscess or hematoma. This minor invasive drainage procedure is commonly provided in ambulatory clinics, emergency departments, or outpatient procedure rooms and is an important intervention to relieve obstruction, reduce infection risk, and address acute nasal pain or swelling. Nationally, accurate coding for this procedure affects claims processing, quality measurement, and resource use tracking across payers.
Key payers in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context, typical sites of service, and common billing considerations associated with CPT code 30000. The publication summarizes benchmarks where available, highlights relevant policy or coverage updates, and situates the procedure within standard outpatient and emergency care workflows.
The document is intended for billing professionals, clinicians involved in ENT and urgent care, and policy analysts seeking clear guidance on how this procedure is characterized in claims data and payer coverage frameworks. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 30000 describes the aspiration of excess fluid from the nasal cavity, performed to evacuate collections such as an abscess or hematoma. This procedure involves needle or incision drainage to remove purulent material or blood that is causing obstruction, pain, or risk of infection.
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Service type: Minor invasive drainage procedure
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Typical site of service: Ambulatory clinic, emergency department, or outpatient procedure room
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult presenting to an urgent care clinic or otolaryngology clinic with a painful, swollen nasal septum after recent nasal trauma or as a complication of nasal surgery. The patient reports nasal obstruction, localized tenderness, visible septal swelling or discoloration, and may have fever if infected. On examination the provider identifies a fluctuant collection beneath the mucoperichondrium consistent with a septal hematoma or abscess. After informed consent, the clinician prepares a sterile field, performs topical anesthesia and local infiltration as needed, and uses a sterile needle and syringe or small incision to aspirate purulent fluid or hematoma contents from the nasal septum. The procedure may include bedside culture collection of aspirate and packing if an open drainage is required. Post-procedure care includes hemostasis, nasal packing or splinting if indicated, prescriptions for antibiotics for infected collections, and follow-up within 24–72 hours to ensure resolution and to assess for cartilage compromise. Typical site of service is outpatient clinic, urgent care, emergency department, or ambulatory surgery center depending on acuity and need for sedation.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
25 | Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician on the same day of the procedure | Use when an E/M visit is performed and documented separately from the aspiration procedure (note: was not listed in input modifiers; follow strict rules: Data not available in the input.) |