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CPT 30920: Internal Maxillary Artery Ligation, Intraoral Approach

CPT code 30920 represents surgical ligation of the internal maxillary artery via an intraoral incision to control or prevent hemorrhage. This is a specialized head and neck vascular procedure typically performed in an operating room or procedural suite by oral and maxillofacial, otolaryngology, or vascular surgery teams. Nationally, codes like 30920 matter because they document high-acuity, procedure-specific interventions tied to acute bleeding control, trauma management, and complex head and neck surgical care.

Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of the clinical context and expected site-of-service, typical coding considerations, and what to expect from payer coverage frameworks. The publication highlights national benchmarks for utilization and reimbursement dynamics, summarizes relevant policy or coverage updates where available, and situates 30920 within related surgical and vascular procedure coding. The document is designed to aid revenue cycle, coding, and clinical teams in understanding where 30920 fits into surgical workflows and payer interactions. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.

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Billing Code Overview

CPT code 30920 describes a surgical procedure in which the provider makes an incision in the upper gums (oral mucosa) to access the internal maxillary artery and then ligates that artery using sutures or clips. This procedure is a targeted vascular ligation performed to control or prevent hemorrhage originating from branches of the maxillary artery.

Service type: Surgical vascular ligation of the internal maxillary artery via intraoral approach
Typical site of service: Operating room or procedural suite with oral/head and neck surgical capability

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CPT 30920: Internal Maxillary Artery Ligation, Intraoral Approach

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Billing Code Overview

Service type: Surgical vascular ligation of the internal maxillary artery via intraoral approach
Typical site of service: Operating room or procedural suite with oral/head and neck surgical capability

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A typical patient is an adult presenting with severe, life‑threatening epistaxis or craniofacial hemorrhage refractory to anterior and posterior nasal packing, endoscopic arterial ligation, or embolization. The patient may have persistent bleeding from a sphenopalatine or internal maxillary artery branch after trauma, tumor resection, or advanced sinonasal disease. The clinical workflow begins with initial airway and hemodynamic stabilization in the emergency department or operating room, nasal packing and endoscopic evaluation by otolaryngology or oral and maxillofacial surgery, and decision for open arterial control when less invasive measures fail or are not feasible. Under general anesthesia in an operating room, an intraoral incision is made in the upper gingival buccal sulcus to expose the pterygopalatine fossa/infrazygomatic region, the internal maxillary artery is identified, and ligation is performed using sutures or vascular clips. Postoperative monitoring for hemodynamic stability, recurrent bleeding, neurovascular complications, and infection follows, with possible ICU-level care for unstable patients.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	Used when reporting only the physician’s professional services separate from the facility technical component, if applicable in facility billing constructs.
`50`	Bilateral procedure	Used if bilateral internal maxillary artery ligation is performed and payer requires explicit bilateral modifier reporting.
`51`	Multiple procedures	Used when additional distinct procedures are performed at the same operative session in addition to `30920`.
`52`	Reduced services	Used when the procedure is intentionally performed in a limited or reduced manner.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Used when the procedure is started but terminated due to extenuating circumstances prior to completion.
`62`	Two surgeons	Used when two surgeons from different specialties actively work together as primary surgeons on the same operative field.
`78`	Return to OR for related procedure during postoperative period	Used when the patient returns to the operating room for a related procedure during the global period.
`79`	Unrelated procedure during postoperative period	Not in the provided list; omitted.
`80`	Assistant surgeon	Used when a surgical assistant participates and the payer requires reporting of assistant surgeon services.
`AS`	Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery	Used when an advanced practice clinician functions as an assistant at surgery and the payer allows the `AS` modifier.
`22`	Increased procedural services	Used when the work required to complete the procedure is substantially greater than typical (must be well documented).
`76`	Repeat procedure by same physician	Not in the provided list; omitted.
`73`	Discontinued outpatient procedure before anesthesia	Used when an outpatient procedure is discontinued prior to anesthesia administration.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207T00000X	Otolaryngology (ENT)	Common specialty performing control of intractable epistaxis and arterial ligation in the skull base/infrazygomatic region.
207G00000X	Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery	Performs intraoral approaches to pterygopalatine fossa and vascular control for facial trauma and hemorrhage.
207L00000X	Plastic Surgery	May participate when complex facial reconstruction or hemorrhage control is required.
208000000X	General Surgery	May perform vascular control in trauma settings when otolaryngology or OMFS not available.
226E00000X	Interventional Radiology	Provides embolization alternatives; included as part of multidisciplinary care though not performing open ligation.

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
`30920`	Ligation of internal maxillary artery via intraoral approach	Primary procedure: direct arterial ligation for hemorrhage control.
`31276`	Nasal/sinus endoscopy, surgical, with control of epistaxis, with arterial ligation (endoscopic)	Minimally invasive alternative; often attempted before open intraoral ligation or used in combination for arterial control.
`36246`	Selective catheter placement, arterial, with diagnostic angiography and radiological supervision and interpretation, radiological supervision and interpretation only	Diagnostic angiography performed pre-embolization to localize bleeding source; may precede or replace surgical ligation.
`37204`	Transcatheter occlusion or embolization, any method, vascular embolization of head and neck vessels	Endovascular embolization of branches of the internal maxillary artery as an alternative to surgical ligation.
`40120`	Incision and drainage, deep abscess (face) — (example code for related facial procedures)	Representative of possible concomitant facial procedures for infection or debridement during the same operative session when clinically indicated.
`99291`	Critical care, evaluation and management of the critically ill or critically injured patient; first 30–74 minutes	Used when the patient requires high-level critical care management for hemodynamic instability related to hemorrhage before, during, or after `30920`.

CPT 30901: Simple Anterior Epistaxis Hemostasis Procedure

CPT-30903-COMPLEX-ANTERIOR-EPISTAXIS-CONTROL

CPT 30903: Complex Anterior Epistaxis Control

CPT-30905-POSTERIOR-EPISTAXIS-INITIAL-CONTROL

CPT 30905: Initial Control of Posterior Nasal Bleeding

CPT-30906-SUBSEQUENT-VISIT-FOLLOW-UP-CARE

CPT 30906: Subsequent Visit After Initial Treatment

CPT-30915-ETHMOID-ARTERY-LIGATION-NASAL-APPROACH

CPT 30915: Ethmoid Artery Ligation via Nasal Incision

CPT-30930-INFERIOR-TURBINATE-FRACTURE-TURBINATE-REDUCTION

CPT 30930: Inferior Turbinate Fracture for Nasal Airway Obstruction

CPT-30999-UNLISTED-NASAL-PROCEDURE

CPT 30999: Unlisted Procedure, Nose

Frequently Asked Questions

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
`26`	Professional component	Used when reporting only the physician’s professional services separate from the facility technical component, if applicable in facility billing constructs.
`50`	Bilateral procedure	Used if bilateral internal maxillary artery ligation is performed and payer requires explicit bilateral modifier reporting.
`51`	Multiple procedures	Used when additional distinct procedures are performed at the same operative session in addition to `30920`.
`52`	Reduced services	Used when the procedure is intentionally performed in a limited or reduced manner.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Used when the procedure is started but terminated due to extenuating circumstances prior to completion.
`62`	Two surgeons	Used when two surgeons from different specialties actively work together as primary surgeons on the same operative field.
`78`	Return to OR for related procedure during postoperative period	Used when the patient returns to the operating room for a related procedure during the global period.
`79`	Unrelated procedure during postoperative period	Not in the provided list; omitted.
`80`	Assistant surgeon	Used when a surgical assistant participates and the payer requires reporting of assistant surgeon services.
`AS`	Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery	Used when an advanced practice clinician functions as an assistant at surgery and the payer allows the `AS` modifier.
`22`	Increased procedural services	Used when the work required to complete the procedure is substantially greater than typical (must be well documented).
`76`	Repeat procedure by same physician	Not in the provided list; omitted.
`73`	Discontinued outpatient procedure before anesthesia	Used when an outpatient procedure is discontinued prior to anesthesia administration.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207T00000X	Otolaryngology (ENT)	Common specialty performing control of intractable epistaxis and arterial ligation in the skull base/infrazygomatic region.
207G00000X	Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery	Performs intraoral approaches to pterygopalatine fossa and vascular control for facial trauma and hemorrhage.
207L00000X	Plastic Surgery	May participate when complex facial reconstruction or hemorrhage control is required.
208000000X	General Surgery	May perform vascular control in trauma settings when otolaryngology or OMFS not available.
226E00000X	Interventional Radiology	Provides embolization alternatives; included as part of multidisciplinary care though not performing open ligation.

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
`30920`	Ligation of internal maxillary artery via intraoral approach	Primary procedure: direct arterial ligation for hemorrhage control.
`31276`	Nasal/sinus endoscopy, surgical, with control of epistaxis, with arterial ligation (endoscopic)	Minimally invasive alternative; often attempted before open intraoral ligation or used in combination for arterial control.
`36246`	Selective catheter placement, arterial, with diagnostic angiography and radiological supervision and interpretation, radiological supervision and interpretation only	Diagnostic angiography performed pre-embolization to localize bleeding source; may precede or replace surgical ligation.
`37204`	Transcatheter occlusion or embolization, any method, vascular embolization of head and neck vessels	Endovascular embolization of branches of the internal maxillary artery as an alternative to surgical ligation.
`40120`	Incision and drainage, deep abscess (face) — (example code for related facial procedures)	Representative of possible concomitant facial procedures for infection or debridement during the same operative session when clinically indicated.
`99291`	Critical care, evaluation and management of the critically ill or critically injured patient; first 30–74 minutes	Used when the patient requires high-level critical care management for hemodynamic instability related to hemorrhage before, during, or after `30920`.

CPT 30901: Simple Anterior Epistaxis Hemostasis Procedure

CPT-30903-COMPLEX-ANTERIOR-EPISTAXIS-CONTROL

CPT 30903: Complex Anterior Epistaxis Control

CPT-30905-POSTERIOR-EPISTAXIS-INITIAL-CONTROL

CPT 30905: Initial Control of Posterior Nasal Bleeding

CPT-30906-SUBSEQUENT-VISIT-FOLLOW-UP-CARE

CPT 30906: Subsequent Visit After Initial Treatment

CPT-30915-ETHMOID-ARTERY-LIGATION-NASAL-APPROACH

CPT 30915: Ethmoid Artery Ligation via Nasal Incision

CPT-30930-INFERIOR-TURBINATE-FRACTURE-TURBINATE-REDUCTION

CPT 30930: Inferior Turbinate Fracture for Nasal Airway Obstruction

CPT-30999-UNLISTED-NASAL-PROCEDURE

CPT 30999: Unlisted Procedure, Nose

Frequently Asked Questions

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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CPT 30920: Internal Maxillary Artery Ligation, Intraoral Approach

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Billing Code Overview

OpenPayer

CPT 30920: Internal Maxillary Artery Ligation, Intraoral 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

CPT 30920: Internal Maxillary Artery Ligation, Intraoral Approach

Sign up for cpt 30920 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

CPT 30920: Internal Maxillary Artery Ligation, Intraoral Approach

Sign up for cpt 30920 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

What clinical procedure does CPT 30920 represent and which specialties commonly perform it?

Which modifiers are relevant for reporting CPT 30920?

What related CPT codes or alternative procedures are associated with 30920?

In what clinical scenarios and care settings is 30920 typically performed?

Which payers are included and are specific reimbursement rates or diagnosis codes provided for 30920?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

What clinical procedure does CPT 30920 represent and which specialties commonly perform it?

Which modifiers are relevant for reporting CPT 30920?

What related CPT codes or alternative procedures are associated with 30920?

In what clinical scenarios and care settings is 30920 typically performed?

Which payers are included and are specific reimbursement rates or diagnosis codes provided for 30920?

References