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CPT 30118: Excision or Destruction of Intranasal Lesion, External Approach

CPT code 30118 represents surgical excision or destruction of an intranasal lesion performed via an external full-thickness nasal incision. This procedure code captures cases in which a provider accesses the intranasal lesion through an external nasal approach to remove or ablate the abnormal tissue. Nationally, accurate coding for procedures like 30118 matters for clinical documentation, surgical quality tracking, and proper claims adjudication for otolaryngology and facial plastic procedures.

Key payers addressed in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise clinical context for when 30118 is used, common sites of service, and the typical surgical setting. The publication also summarizes benchmark considerations and payer coverage patterns where available, outlines relevant billing modifiers and coding relationships (where provided), and highlights points of attention for claims processing and documentation. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.

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Billing Code Overview

CPT code 30118 describes an external approach excision or destruction of an intranasal lesion by creating a full-thickness incision in the nose to remove or destroy the lesion. This procedure is surgical in nature and addresses lesions located within the nasal cavity using an external nasal approach.

Service type: Surgical excision/destruction of intranasal lesion via external approach
Typical site of service: Ambulatory surgical center or hospital operating room, depending on clinical complexity and resource needs

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CPT 30118: Excision or Destruction of Intranasal Lesion, External Approach

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Billing Code Overview

Service type: Surgical excision/destruction of intranasal lesion via external approach
Typical site of service: Ambulatory surgical center or hospital operating room, depending on clinical complexity and resource needs

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 54-year-old patient presents to an otolaryngology clinic with a symptomatic intranasal mass causing intermittent epistaxis and nasal obstruction. After nasal endoscopy and imaging suggest a localized benign-appearing intranasal lesion that cannot be accessed adequately through an intranasal approach, the surgeon schedules an external approach for excision. In the operating room under monitored anesthesia care or general anesthesia, the surgeon creates a full-thickness external nasal incision to access and excise or destroy the intranasal lesion. Hemostasis is achieved, reconstructive steps for the external incision are completed, and the specimen is submitted for pathology. Typical perioperative workflow includes preoperative evaluation, informed consent documenting the external approach and risks, intraoperative documentation of the full-thickness nasal incision and lesion removal, and postoperative instructions for wound care and follow-up for pathology results.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`11`	Primary procedure	Use when this excision is the primary service performed during the encounter.
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when additional work beyond the typical procedure (extensive dissection, prolonged operative time) is documented.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the planned procedure is partially reduced or not completed as documented.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when the procedure is started but terminated due to extenuating circumstances.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use when another distinct procedure is performed at a separate site or session that is not normally reported with `30118`.
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons of different specialties work together as primary surgeons performing distinct portions of the procedure.
`78`	Return to OR for related procedure during postoperative period	Use when a related procedure for a complication is performed during the global period.
`79`	Unrelated procedure or service during postoperative period	Use when an unrelated procedure is performed during the global period (not in modifier list but commonly relevant—excluded here per input list).
`50`	Bilateral procedure	Use if the same full-thickness incision and excision are performed on both sides and payer requires bilateral reporting.
`26`	Professional component	Use when reporting only the professional component separate from technical components (when applicable to services like pathology or imaging billed separately).
`TC`	Technical component	Use when reporting only the technical component of a service ancillary to the procedure (pathology lab technical charges), reported by the performing facility.
`51`	Multiple procedures	Use when `30118` is one of multiple procedures performed in the same session and payer requires modifier for multiple procedures.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when circumstances result in a reduced service (duplicate entry avoided if already listed but included when applicable).
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use when procedures are separate and distinct by anatomy or session (duplicate noted above if needed).

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207R00000X	Otolaryngology	Primary specialty performing external nasal excisions and intranasal lesion management.
207K00000X	Facial Plastic Surgery	Performs external nasal approaches and reconstructive techniques when cosmetic or complex repair is required.
208000000X	General Surgery	May perform nasal lesion excision in selected settings, particularly if multidisciplinary care required.
207X00000X	Plastic Surgery	Involved when external incision repair or nasal reconstruction is complex.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`D23.9`	Other benign neoplasm of skin, unspecified	Common for benign intranasal skin or mucosal lesions requiring excision via an external approach.
`J34.89`	Other specified disorders of nose and nasal sinuses	Captures non-specific intranasal lesions or localized pathology prompting excision.
`R04.0`	Epistaxis	Symptom that may be an indication for lesion removal if bleeding from an intranasal lesion.
`D18.0`	Hemangioma, any site	Vascular lesions in the nasal cavity that may require external excision when not amenable to endonasal approaches.
`C30.0`	Malignant neoplasm of nasal cavity	Malignant tumors of the nasal cavity may require excision; pathology determines staging and further treatment.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`30200`	Excision and repair of nasal mucous membrane and cartilage; partial full-thickness defect, simple or intermediate	May be performed for repair of the external incision or adjacent defects created during lesion excision.
`30520`	Excision or destruction of intranasal tumor, mucosal lesion, and/or foreign body, intranasal (separate from external full-thickness approach)	Alternative intranasal approach for lesions accessible without an external full-thickness incision; may be performed for smaller lesions.
`31231`	Nasal/sinus endoscopy, diagnostic, unilateral	May be performed preoperatively or intraoperatively for diagnostic visualization of intranasal pathology prior to external excision.
`88305`	Level IV surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination	Common pathology CPT code for processing an excised lesion specimen sent to pathology after `30118`.
`99143`	Moderate sedation services provided by the physician or other qualified health care professional (for procedures requiring moderate sedation, first 30 minutes)	May be reported when moderate sedation is provided concurrently with the procedure for patient comfort.

CPT 30100: Intranasal Biopsy for Tissue Diagnosis

CPT-30110-NASAL-POLYPECTOMY-NASAL-CAVITY

CPT 30110: Nasal Polyp Removal (Nasal Polypectomy)

CPT-30115-NASAL-POLYP-SNARE-REMOVAL-ELECTROCAUTERY

CPT 30115: Removal of Complicated Nasal Polyp(s) with Snare Electrocautery

CPT-30117-INTERNAL-NASAL-LESION-EXCISION-DESTRUCTION

CPT 30117: Internal Excision or Destruction of Nasal Lesion

CPT-30120-RHINOPHYMA-EXCISION-NASAL-SKIN

CPT 30120: Excision/Abrasion of Diseased Nasal Skin (Rhinophyma)

CPT-30124-DERMOID-CYST-EXCISION-NASAL-SUBCUTANEOUS

CPT 30124: Dermoid Cyst Excision, Nasal Subcutaneous Tissue

CPT-30125-NASAL-DEEP-DERMOID-CYST-EXCISION

CPT 30125: Excision of Deep Nasal Dermoid Cyst

CPT-30130-INFERIOR-TURBINATE-EXCISION-NASAL-AIRWAY-OBSTRUCTION

CPT 30130: Excision of Inferior Turbinate

CPT-30140-INFERIOR-TURBINATE-SUBMUCOUS-RESECTION

CPT 30140: Submucous Resection of Inferior Turbinate

CPT-30150-PARTIAL-RHINECTOMY-SURGICAL-REMOVAL-NOSE

CPT 30150: Partial Rhinectomy, Surgical Removal of Part of the Nose

Showing 1–10 of 11

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`11`	Primary procedure	Use when this excision is the primary service performed during the encounter.
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when additional work beyond the typical procedure (extensive dissection, prolonged operative time) is documented.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the planned procedure is partially reduced or not completed as documented.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when the procedure is started but terminated due to extenuating circumstances.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use when another distinct procedure is performed at a separate site or session that is not normally reported with `30118`.
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons of different specialties work together as primary surgeons performing distinct portions of the procedure.
`78`	Return to OR for related procedure during postoperative period	Use when a related procedure for a complication is performed during the global period.
`79`	Unrelated procedure or service during postoperative period	Use when an unrelated procedure is performed during the global period (not in modifier list but commonly relevant—excluded here per input list).
`50`	Bilateral procedure	Use if the same full-thickness incision and excision are performed on both sides and payer requires bilateral reporting.
`26`	Professional component	Use when reporting only the professional component separate from technical components (when applicable to services like pathology or imaging billed separately).
`TC`	Technical component	Use when reporting only the technical component of a service ancillary to the procedure (pathology lab technical charges), reported by the performing facility.
`51`	Multiple procedures	Use when `30118` is one of multiple procedures performed in the same session and payer requires modifier for multiple procedures.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when circumstances result in a reduced service (duplicate entry avoided if already listed but included when applicable).
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use when procedures are separate and distinct by anatomy or session (duplicate noted above if needed).

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207R00000X	Otolaryngology	Primary specialty performing external nasal excisions and intranasal lesion management.
207K00000X	Facial Plastic Surgery	Performs external nasal approaches and reconstructive techniques when cosmetic or complex repair is required.
208000000X	General Surgery	May perform nasal lesion excision in selected settings, particularly if multidisciplinary care required.
207X00000X	Plastic Surgery	Involved when external incision repair or nasal reconstruction is complex.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`D23.9`	Other benign neoplasm of skin, unspecified	Common for benign intranasal skin or mucosal lesions requiring excision via an external approach.
`J34.89`	Other specified disorders of nose and nasal sinuses	Captures non-specific intranasal lesions or localized pathology prompting excision.
`R04.0`	Epistaxis	Symptom that may be an indication for lesion removal if bleeding from an intranasal lesion.
`D18.0`	Hemangioma, any site	Vascular lesions in the nasal cavity that may require external excision when not amenable to endonasal approaches.
`C30.0`	Malignant neoplasm of nasal cavity	Malignant tumors of the nasal cavity may require excision; pathology determines staging and further treatment.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`30200`	Excision and repair of nasal mucous membrane and cartilage; partial full-thickness defect, simple or intermediate	May be performed for repair of the external incision or adjacent defects created during lesion excision.
`30520`	Excision or destruction of intranasal tumor, mucosal lesion, and/or foreign body, intranasal (separate from external full-thickness approach)	Alternative intranasal approach for lesions accessible without an external full-thickness incision; may be performed for smaller lesions.
`31231`	Nasal/sinus endoscopy, diagnostic, unilateral	May be performed preoperatively or intraoperatively for diagnostic visualization of intranasal pathology prior to external excision.
`88305`	Level IV surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination	Common pathology CPT code for processing an excised lesion specimen sent to pathology after `30118`.
`99143`	Moderate sedation services provided by the physician or other qualified health care professional (for procedures requiring moderate sedation, first 30 minutes)	May be reported when moderate sedation is provided concurrently with the procedure for patient comfort.

CPT 30100: Intranasal Biopsy for Tissue Diagnosis

CPT-30110-NASAL-POLYPECTOMY-NASAL-CAVITY

CPT 30110: Nasal Polyp Removal (Nasal Polypectomy)

CPT-30115-NASAL-POLYP-SNARE-REMOVAL-ELECTROCAUTERY

CPT 30115: Removal of Complicated Nasal Polyp(s) with Snare Electrocautery

CPT-30117-INTERNAL-NASAL-LESION-EXCISION-DESTRUCTION

CPT 30117: Internal Excision or Destruction of Nasal Lesion

CPT-30120-RHINOPHYMA-EXCISION-NASAL-SKIN

CPT 30120: Excision/Abrasion of Diseased Nasal Skin (Rhinophyma)

CPT-30124-DERMOID-CYST-EXCISION-NASAL-SUBCUTANEOUS

CPT 30124: Dermoid Cyst Excision, Nasal Subcutaneous Tissue

CPT-30125-NASAL-DEEP-DERMOID-CYST-EXCISION

CPT 30125: Excision of Deep Nasal Dermoid Cyst

CPT-30130-INFERIOR-TURBINATE-EXCISION-NASAL-AIRWAY-OBSTRUCTION

CPT 30130: Excision of Inferior Turbinate

CPT-30140-INFERIOR-TURBINATE-SUBMUCOUS-RESECTION

CPT 30140: Submucous Resection of Inferior Turbinate

CPT-30150-PARTIAL-RHINECTOMY-SURGICAL-REMOVAL-NOSE

CPT 30150: Partial Rhinectomy, Surgical Removal of Part of the Nose

Showing 1–10 of 11

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

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Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

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CPT 30118: Excision or Destruction of Intranasal Lesion, External Approach

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Billing Code Overview

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CPT 30118: Excision or Destruction of Intranasal Lesion, External Approach

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Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References