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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesEndoscopy Procedures on the Accessory SinusesCPT cpt-31255-anterior-posterior-ethmoidectomy
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    CPT 31255: Anterior and Posterior Ethmoidectomy

    Medicare pays $277 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 31255 describes surgical removal of diseased ethmoid air cells involving both the anterior and posterior ethmoid sinuses; the service is an anterior and posterior ethmoidectomy typically performed as an endoscopic sinus surgery procedure for treatment of sinus disease, with the site of service generally being the operating room or procedure suite in an ambulatory surgery center or hospital setting.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Dental Anesthesia Services, Anesthesia Services for Interventional Pain Management Procedures in an Adult, General Anesthesia and Conscious Sedation Services.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is an adult presenting with chronic or recurrent rhinosinusitis unresponsive to prolonged medical therapy (antibiotics, intranasal corticosteroids, saline irrigations) and imaging demonstrating disease in both the anterior and posterior ethmoid air cells. The workflow begins with outpatient evaluation by an otolaryngologist, including nasal endoscopy and CT sinus imaging. When medical management fails and CT shows opacified or diseased anterior and posterior ethmoid air cells, the surgeon schedules functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) with 31255 for anterior and posterior ethmoidectomy. The procedure is commonly performed in an ambulatory surgery center or hospital operating room under general anesthesia. Preoperative steps include informed consent, medication reconciliation, and perioperative antibiotics or topical decongestants per surgeon protocol. Intraoperatively, endoscopic instruments and image guidance may be used to remove diseased ethmoid cells while preserving surrounding structures. Postoperative care involves short-term nasal packing or absorbable hemostatic agents as needed, nasal saline irrigations, topical corticosteroids, and follow-up endoscopic debridement in clinic. Indications include persistent purulent drainage, facial pain/pressure, obstructive symptoms, complications such as mucocele, or involvement of both anterior and posterior ethmoid compartments on imaging.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    31276Nasal/sinus endoscopy, surgical; with maxillary antrostomyFrequently performed during FESS when maxillary sinus drainage pathway requires enlargement; often combined with ethmoidectomy
    31267Nasal/sinus endoscopy, surgical; with frontal sinusotomyPerformed when frontal sinus disease coexists and requires opening in the same operative setting
    31254Endoscopic ethmoidectomy, anteriorMay be performed alone for isolated anterior disease; 31255 indicates both anterior and posterior compartments involved
    31288Endoscopic maxillary antrostomy with partial ethmoidectomyRepresents combined approaches to maxillary and ethmoid disease during the same operative session
    31575Laryngoscopy, flexible; diagnosticMay be used preoperatively for airway assessment in patients with complex anatomy or breathing complaints

    Related Modifiers

    5 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    25CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…
    79Modifier 79 indicates a surgical procedure performed during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery that is unrelated to the original procedure. Per AMA/CPT and CMS guidance, it is…- Use modifier 79 when the same physician (or same‑specialty physician in the same group) performs a surgical procedure during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery and the new procedure…
    33Modifier 33 was created by the American Medical Association in response to the Affordable Care Act to identify services provided for preventive intent. It is appended to CPT/HCPCS codes that could be…- Use modifier -33 when a CPT/HCPCS service that can be billed as either preventive or diagnostic/treatment is provided with preventive intent and aligns with USPSTF A or B recommendations or other…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
    P1Modifier P1 indicates an ASA Physical Status I — a normal healthy patient — and is appended to anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) based on the anesthesiologist’s clinical assessment. It documents the…- When to apply: Use modifier P1 on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when the anesthesia provider assigns ASA Physical Status I — a normal healthy patient (non‑smoker, minimal or no alcohol use).…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207Y00000X
    207RI0200X
    2080P0207X
    225XH1300X
    261QR0401X
    281PC2000X
    103TP0016X
    313M00000X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    29 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    A41.9Sepsis, unspecified organism
    B95.61Methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus infection as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere
    G47.9Sleep disorder, unspecified
    H68.011Acute Eustachian salpingitis, right ear
    J01.00Acute maxillary sinusitis, unspecified
    J01.10Acute frontal sinusitis, unspecified
    J01.90Acute sinusitis, unspecified
    J30.9Allergic rhinitis, unspecified
    J31.0Chronic rhinitis
    J32.0Chronic maxillary sinusitis

    Showing 1–10 of 29

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Anesthesiology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Dental Anesthesia ServicesProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    Anesthesia Services for Interventional Pain Management Procedures in an AdultCigna2026-09-15
    General Anesthesia and Conscious Sedation ServicesUnitedHealthcare2026-09-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Elective Inpatient Services (for Idaho Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-06-01
    Sites of Servicepriority health2026-06-01
    Coverage for Ambulatory Surgery Unit (ASU)/Outpatient Facility and Anesthesia for Dental Servicesuniverahealthcare2026-05-21

    Related Codes

    CPT-31231-DIAGNOSTIC-NASAL-ENDOSCOPY-NASAL-CAVITY-EVALUATION

    CPT 31231: Nasal Endoscopy, Diagnostic

    CPT-31233-MAXILLARY-SINUS-DIAGNOSTIC-ENDOSCOPY-THROUGH-CANINE-FOSSA-OR-INFERIOR-MEATUS

    CPT 31233: Diagnostic Endoscopy of Maxillary Sinus via Canine Fossa

    CPT-31235-SPHENOID-SINUS-DIAGNOSTIC-ENDOSCOPY

    CPT 31235: Diagnostic Endoscopy of Sphenoid Sinus

    CPT-31237-NASAL-ENDOSCOPY-BIOPSY-POLYPECTOMY-DEBRIDEMENT

    CPT 31237: Nasal/Sinus Endoscopy with Biopsy or Polypectomy

    CPT-31238-ENDOSCOPIC-NASAL-HEMOSTASIS

    CPT 31238: Endoscopic Nasal Cautery for Control of Bleeding

    CPT-31239-DACRYOCYSTORHINOSTOMY-EXTERNAL-DCR

    CPT 31239: Dacryocystorhinostomy (External DCR)

    CPT-31240-ENDOSCOPIC-CONCHA-BULLOSA-REMOVAL

    CPT 31240: Endoscopic-Assisted Concha Bullosa Removal

    CPT-31241-ENDOSCOPIC-SPHENOPALATINE-ARTERY-LIGATION-NASAL

    CPT 31241: Endoscopic Ligation of Sphenopalatine Artery

    CPT-31242-POSTERIOR-NASAL-NERVE-RADIOFREQUENCY-ABLATION-ENDOSCOPIC

    CPT 31242: Endoscopic Posterior Nasal Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation

    CPT-31243-POSTERIOR-NASAL-NERVE-CRYOABLATION-ENDOSCOPIC

    CPT 31243: Endoscopic Posterior Nasal Nerve Cryoablation

    Showing 1–10 of 28

    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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