Summary & Overview
CPT 30124: Dermoid Cyst Excision, Nasal Subcutaneous Tissue
CPT code 30124 denotes a simple surgical excision of a dermoid cyst from the subcutaneous tissue of the nose. Nationally, this code captures a common minor otolaryngology or facial plastic procedure performed in outpatient settings and is relevant for reimbursement, coding accuracy, and clinical documentation. Accurate use of CPT code 30124 matters for national billing consistency, claims adjudication, and quality measurement related to minor cutaneous facial procedures.
Key payers addressed in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context for the procedure, the typical sites of service, common billing considerations, and benchmarking information where available. The publication summarizes common modifier usage and payer-specific billing practices when present and highlights documentation elements that support correct code selection.
This resource provides clinicians, coders, and revenue staff with: a clear definition of the service captured by CPT code 30124; expectations for typical care settings; comparisons across major payers; and practical notes on documentation and claim submission. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 30124 describes the surgical removal of a dermoid cyst located in the subcutaneous tissue of the nose. This procedure represents a simple excision of a benign cystic lesion arising in the nasal soft tissues.
Service type: minor surgical excision
Typical site of service: ambulatory surgical center or outpatient clinic procedure room, often performed under local anesthesia with minimal recovery time.
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is a 28-year-old adult presenting to an outpatient otolaryngology or dermatologic surgery clinic with a palpable, well-circumscribed, subcutaneous mass along the nasal dorsum or lateral nasal subunit. The lesion is clinically suspected to be a dermoid cyst based on a history of a slowly enlarging, non-tender nodule present since childhood or noted in adulthood, sometimes with intermittent localized tenderness or minor drainage. Preoperative evaluation includes focused history, physical exam, and, when indicated, imaging such as ultrasound or CT to assess depth and intracranial extension. For lesions confined to the superficial subcutaneous tissue without signs of intracranial communication, the provider schedules a minor procedure under local anesthesia for excision.
The procedure involves sterile preparation of the nose, local infiltration with a local anesthetic (for example, lidocaine with epinephrine), a small skin incision directly over or along a relaxed skin tension line, blunt and sharp dissection to enucleate the dermoid cyst from subcutaneous tissue, careful hemostasis, and layered closure of the incision. Tissue is submitted for pathology. The patient is given wound care instructions and scheduled for follow-up for suture removal and pathology review. Billing uses 30124 for simple removal of a dermoid cyst from subcutaneous tissue of the nose when no extensive dissection, flap reconstruction, or exploration for intracranial extension is required.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier | Use when no additional modifier applies and payer requires a blank/default modifier field |
11 | Office or other outpatient service | Use to indicate the usual/elective service when reporting to some commercial payers if required |
22 | Increased procedural services | Use when work or time substantially greater than typical for 30124 due to unexpected complexity |
23 | Unusual anesthesia | Use when the procedure required general anesthesia or monitored anesthesia care for an outpatient cyst excision due to patient factors |
50 | Bilateral procedure | Use if symmetric dermoid cysts on both sides of the nose are removed and payer recognizes bilateral modifier for this code |
51 | Multiple procedures | Use when 30124 is performed the same day with other distinct surgical procedures and payer requires reporting of multiple procedures |
52 | Reduced services | Use when the procedure is partially reduced or not completed as planned (e.g., aborted excision) |
53 | Discontinued procedure | Use when the procedure is terminated due to extenuating circumstances after initiation but before completion |
57 | (Not in provided list) | Data not available in the input. |
62 | Two surgeons | Use when two surgeons of different specialties provided distinct surgical services during the same operative session for the same lesion |
78 | Return to operating room for a related procedure during the postoperative period | Use when unplanned return to the OR is required for a complication related to the original excision |
80 | Assistant surgeon | Use when a surgical assistant (not PA/NP) is required and payer requires reporting |
26 | Professional component | Use when a distinct professional component is reported separately (rare for 30124) |
| Taxonomy Code | Specialty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 207P00000X | Otolaryngology (ENT) | Common specialty performing nasal subcutaneous cyst excisions |
| 207N00000X | Plastic Surgery | Performs excisions with attention to cosmetic nasal reconstruction when needed |
| 207L00000X | Dermatology | Performs skin and subcutaneous lesion removals on the nose in outpatient settings |
| 363LF0000X | Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | May perform complex anterior nasal or nasal tip procedures involving subcutaneous masses |
| 2080P0221X | General Surgery | Occasionally performs minor facial soft-tissue excisions in outpatient surgical centers |
Related Diagnoses
| ICD-10 Code | Description | Clinical Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Data not available in the input. | Data not available in the input. | Data not available in the input. |
Related CPT Codes
| CPT Code | Description | Relationship to This Procedure |
|---|---|---|
12031 | Repair, intermediate, wounds of scalp, arms, legs; 2.5 cm to 7.5 cm | Used when 30124 excision requires an intermediate layered closure for a resulting defect of this size |
12032 | Repair, intermediate, wounds of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips; 2.5 cm to 7.5 cm | Used when a nasal dermoid cyst excision necessitates an intermediate repair for cosmetic closure on the nose |
11102 | Tangential biopsy of skin (shave); single lesion | May be used if an initial diagnostic shave biopsy was performed prior to definitive excision (separate encounter) |
40600 | Excision of cyst of salivary gland area — (Note: for illustrative related head/neck procedures) | Related head and neck superficial cyst excision code for context when broader regional procedures are performed |
69990 | Unlisted procedure, nose | Used when a nasal procedure does not have an exact CPT match or for unusual reconstruction after excision |