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    OpenPayerBilling CodesIncision Procedures on the Accessory SinusesCPT cpt-31002-sphenoid-sinus-irrigation-flexible-cannula
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    CPT 31002: Sphenoid Sinus Irrigation with Flexible Cannula

    Medicare pays $173 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 31002 describes a procedure in which a provider inserts a flexible cannula to irrigate and wash out the contents of the sphenoid sinus; the service is an endoscopic sinus irrigation/washout performed in an operating room or procedure suite and is typically provided by otolaryngology (ENT) clinicians when clearance of sphenoid sinus contents is required.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Office-based Laryngeal Procedures, Injectable Dermal Fillers and Bulking Agents (for New Mexico Only), Injectable Dermal Fillers and Bulking Agents (for Kentucky Only).

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is a 35–60-year-old adult presenting to an otolaryngology clinic or ambulatory surgery center with acute or chronic sphenoid sinus disease characterized by deep-seated facial/retro-orbital pain, persistent purulent drainage, or failure of medical therapy (oral antibiotics and topical steroid nasal irrigations). Imaging (CT sinus) demonstrates mucosal thickening or opacification isolated to the sphenoid sinus. After failed medical therapy or when diagnostic/therapeutic lavage is indicated, the provider performs a transnasal endoscopic sphenoid sinus washout using a flexible cannula to irrigate and remove inspissated secretions under endoscopic visualization.

    Typical workflow: pre-procedure evaluation and informed consent in clinic; peri-procedural topical decongestant and local anesthetic or monitored anesthesia care/general anesthesia depending on patient comfort and comorbidities; endoscopic transnasal approach to the sphenoid ostium; insertion of a flexible cannula into the sphenoid sinus and controlled irrigation/aspiration to wash the sinus cavity; specimen collection for culture if indicated; hemostasis and postoperative instructions with topical nasal care and possible antibiotic therapy. Usual sites of service include the ambulatory surgical center, hospital operating room, or clinic procedure room depending on anesthesia level and complexity. This procedure is represented by 31002.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    31231Nasal/sinus endoscopy, diagnostic, unilateral or bilateral (separate procedure)Performed before or during to visualize sphenoid ostium and guide cannula placement for 31002.
    31237Nasal/sinus endoscopy, surgical with biopsy, polypectomy or other intranasal proceduresMay be performed in the same session if additional intranasal surgical procedures are required alongside 31002.
    31276Endoscopic maxillary antrostomy; with ethmoidectomy, totalPerformed when disease extends beyond the sphenoid and requires broader sinus surgery in the same operative episode.
    30140Submucous resection, turbinate, partial or complete, any methodMay be performed concurrently to improve access for transnasal sphenoid instrumentation.
    87535Infectious agent detection, culture or molecular assay (e.g., respiratory pathogen panel)Used when specimens obtained during 31002 are sent for microbiologic testing to guide therapy.

    Related Modifiers

    12 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    66Modifier 66 (Surgical Team) is used when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons on a single, highly complex procedure. The AMA defines it for use when a surgical team — often composed of…- Use modifier 66 when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons working collaboratively as a surgical team on a single, highly complex or difficult procedure (for example organ…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…

    Showing 1–10 of 12

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207Y00000X
    2080P0207X
    163W00000X
    2084P0800X
    320900000X
    3336I0012X
    237600000X
    207UN0903X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)1 / 2

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Office-based Laryngeal ProceduresPremera Bluecross2026-10-06
    Injectable Dermal Fillers and Bulking Agents (for New Mexico Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Injectable Dermal Fillers and Bulking Agents (for Kentucky Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Hearing Aids and Devices Including Wearable, Bone-Anchored, and Semi-Implantable (for Indiana Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Otoacoustic Emissions Testing (for Oxford Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Injectable Dermal Fillers and Bulking AgentsUnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Injectable Dermal Fillers and Bulking AgentsUnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Sinus Surgeries and Interventions (for North Carolina Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Injectable Dermal Fillers and Bulking Agents (for Nebraska Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Injectable Dermal Fillers and Bulking Agents (for Kansas Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-31000-MAXILLARY-SINUS-WASHOUT-IRRIGATION

    CPT 31000: Maxillary Sinus Irrigation (Antral Washout)

    CPT-31020-MIDDLE-MEATAL-SINUSOTOMY-INTRANASAL-SINUSOTOMY

    CPT 31020: Middle Meatal Sinusotomy, Intranasal Approach

    CPT-31030-MAXILLARY-ANTRUM-MUCOSAL-REMOVAL-NASOANTRAL-WINDOW

    CPT 31030: Radical Antral Mucosal Resection with Nasoantral Window

    CPT-31032-MAXILLARY-ANTROSTOMY-POLYPECTOMY

    CPT 31032: Maxillary Antrostomy with Polypectomy

    CPT-31040-PTERYGOMAXILLARY-FOSSA-SURGERY

    CPT 31040: Surgery of the Pterygomaxillary Fossa

    CPT-31050-SPHENOID-SINUS-INCISION-BIOPSY

    CPT 31050: Sphenoid Sinus Incision with Possible Biopsy

    CPT-31051-SPHENOID-SINUS-MUCOSA-STRIPPING-POLYPECTOMY

    CPT 31051: Sphenoid Sinus Incision with Polyp Removal or Mucosal Stripping

    CPT-31070-TREPHINATION-FRONTAL-SINUS-OPENING

    CPT 31070: Frontal Sinus Trephination

    CPT-31075-FRONTAL-SINUS-EXCISION-TRANSORBITAL-APPROACH

    CPT 31075: Frontal Sinus Excision via Orbital Approach

    CPT-31080-FRONTAL-SINUS-OBLITERATION-EXTERNAL-APPROACH

    CPT 31080: Frontal Sinus Obliteration via Sub-brow Incision

    Showing 1–10 of 16

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 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. 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. 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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