Summary & Overview
CPT 30115: Removal of Complicated Nasal Polyp(s) with Snare Electrocautery
CPT code 30115 denotes a focused surgical procedure for removal of complicated nasal polyps using a snare and low‑power current. Nationally, this code captures a common otolaryngology intervention for patients with obstructive intranasal polyps that require more than simple manual extraction. Accurate use of this code matters for appropriate clinical documentation, surgical tracking, and payer adjudication across hospital outpatient departments, ambulatory surgical centers, and some office settings.
Key payers covered in this review include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context, expected settings of care, and common billing considerations tied to this procedure. The publication provides benchmarks and payment context where available, highlights relevant documentation priorities for coding the procedure, and summarizes recent policy or coverage updates that affect reimbursement and prior authorization practices.
This analysis is written for a national audience and is intended to clarify what CPT code 30115 represents, where it is typically billed, and what clinicians and billing teams should consider when coding and submitting claims for complicated intranasal polyp removal. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 30115 describes the removal of a complicated nasal polyp or polyps from within the nasal cavity using a snare (wire loop) with application of low‑power electrical current to excise the obstruction. This is a focused surgical procedure addressing intranasal polyps that are not amenable to simple removal techniques.
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Service type: Surgical removal of nasal polyp(s) using snare electrocautery
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Typical site of service: Ambulatory surgical center or hospital outpatient department; may also be performed in an office setting with appropriate equipment and monitoring when clinically appropriate
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Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult presenting to an otolaryngology clinic with several months of progressive nasal obstruction, decreased sense of smell, recurrent sinus infections, and visible intranasal masses on anterior rhinoscopy consistent with nasal polyps. Prior medical therapy (intranasal corticosteroids, short oral steroid taper, and antibiotics when indicated) provided incomplete relief. Imaging with CT of the sinuses demonstrates intranasal polypoid tissue without extensive sinus surgery requirement. The patient is scheduled for removal of complicated nasal polyp(s) using a snare or wire loop with low-power electrocautery in an ambulatory surgical center or hospital outpatient department.
The clinical workflow includes preoperative evaluation (history, nasal endoscopy, informed consent, medication reconciliation, and anesthesia assessment), intraoperative removal of polyp(s) using snare electrocautery with hemostasis and specimen handling, and postoperative instructions with short-term follow-up to monitor bleeding, infection, and symptom relief. Typical anesthesia is local with sedation or general anesthesia depending on patient factors and extent of removal. The procedure may be unilateral or bilateral and may be combined with other nasal procedures if clinically indicated.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
51 | Multiple procedures | When an unrelated additional procedure is performed at the same session and the payer requires a multiple-procedure modifier. |