Summary & Overview
CPT 30110: Nasal Polyp Removal (Nasal Polypectomy)
CPT code 30110 denotes surgical removal of a nasal polyp or polyps from the nasal cavity. The code captures a focused operative procedure aimed at relieving nasal obstruction and improving sinonasal function. Nationally, this procedure is common in otolaryngology practice and affects utilization patterns across commercial insurers and Medicare due to its procedural nature and frequent links to chronic rhinosinusitis and allergic disease management. Key payers in typical analyses include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise clinical framing of the procedure, payer coverage context, and what to expect in benchmarking and policy discussion. The publication outlines standard coding identification, typical sites of service, and common payer considerations. It highlights benchmark metrics such as utilization rates, place-of-service distribution, and payment variability where available, and notes relevant policy trends that can influence prior authorization, medical necessity review, and site-of-service determinations. Data not available in the input is clearly marked when applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 30110 describes the surgical removal of a nasal polyp or polyps from within the nasal cavity. This procedure is performed to remove obstructing tissue that interferes with nasal airflow, sinus drainage, or causes recurrent symptoms.
-
Service type: Surgical/operative procedure for removal of intranasal pathology
-
Typical site of service: Ambulatory surgical center or hospital operating room, and in select cases an office procedure setting depending on clinical context and provider capability
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult presenting to an otolaryngology clinic with progressive unilateral or bilateral nasal obstruction, reduced olfaction, recurrent sinus infections, and visible intranasal masses on nasal endoscopy consistent with nasal polyps. Prior medical therapy has included intranasal corticosteroids and a course of oral corticosteroids with incomplete response. Imaging (CT sinus) demonstrates polypoid disease confined to the nasal cavity without extensive paranasal sinus destruction. The workflow includes history and examination, nasal endoscopy documentation, informed consent, preoperative anesthesia evaluation, and operating room removal of the polyp(s) under local or general anesthesia. The procedure involves transnasal removal of one or more polyps to relieve obstruction, with hemostasis achieved by packing, cautery, or topical agents and specimens sent for pathology if indicated. Postoperative instructions include nasal saline irrigations, topical steroid sprays, follow-up endoscopy to assess healing, and documentation of procedure details, laterality, anesthesia type, complications if any, and any global period reporting.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
59 | Distinct Procedural Service | When a separate, distinct procedure is performed at a different site or session from another procedure not normally reported together with 30110 |