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.

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CPT 31255: Anterior and Posterior Ethmoidectomy

Medicare pays $277 on average nationally for this procedure.

Customize your policy alerts

Sign up for cpt 31255 policy alerts

Get alerted when payer policies referencing 31255 are released or updated.

Monitor payer policy activity

Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

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 Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`31276`	Nasal/sinus endoscopy, surgical; with maxillary antrostomy	Frequently performed during FESS when maxillary sinus drainage pathway requires enlargement; often combined with ethmoidectomy
`31267`	Nasal/sinus endoscopy, surgical; with frontal sinusotomy	Performed when frontal sinus disease coexists and requires opening in the same operative setting
`31254`	Endoscopic ethmoidectomy, anterior	May be performed alone for isolated anterior disease; `31255` indicates both anterior and posterior compartments involved
`31288`	Endoscopic maxillary antrostomy with partial ethmoidectomy	Represents combined approaches to maxillary and ethmoid disease during the same operative session
`31575`	Laryngoscopy, flexible; diagnostic	May be used preoperatively for airway assessment in patients with complex anatomy or breathing complaints

Related Modifiers

5 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
25	CPT 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.,…
79	Modifier 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…
33	Modifier 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…
78	CPT 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…
P1	Modifier 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	Specialty	Notes
207Y00000X	Otolaryngology Physician	An otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon provides comprehensive medical and surgical care for patients with diseases and disorders that affect the ea…
207RI0200X	Infectious Disease Physician	An internist who deals with infectious diseases of all types and in all organ systems. Conditions requiring selective use of antibiotics call for this…
2080P0207X	Pediatric Hematology & Oncology Physician	A pediatrician trained in the combination of pediatrics, hematology and oncology to recognize and manage pediatric blood disorders and cancerous disea…
225XH1300X	Human Factors Occupational Therapist	Respiratory, Developmental, Rehabilitative and Restorative Service Providers · Occupational Therapist
261QR0401X	Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility (CORF)	Ambulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center
281PC2000X	Children's Chronic Disease Hospital	Hospitals · Chronic Disease Hospital
103TP0016X	Prescribing (Medical) Psychologist	A licensed, doctoral-level psychologist authorized to prescribe and has undergone specialized education and training in preparation for prescriptive p…
313M00000X	Nursing Facility/Intermediate Care Facility	An institution (or a distinct part of an institution) which- (1) is primarily engaged in providing to residents- (A) skilled nursing care and related …

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

29 rows

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

Showing 1–10 of 29

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.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

Related CPT Codes

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

Related Modifiers

5 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
25	CPT 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.,…
79	Modifier 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…
33	Modifier 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…
78	CPT 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…
P1	Modifier 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	Specialty	Notes
207Y00000X	Otolaryngology Physician	An otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon provides comprehensive medical and surgical care for patients with diseases and disorders that affect the ea…
207RI0200X	Infectious Disease Physician	An internist who deals with infectious diseases of all types and in all organ systems. Conditions requiring selective use of antibiotics call for this…
2080P0207X	Pediatric Hematology & Oncology Physician	A pediatrician trained in the combination of pediatrics, hematology and oncology to recognize and manage pediatric blood disorders and cancerous disea…
225XH1300X	Human Factors Occupational Therapist	Respiratory, Developmental, Rehabilitative and Restorative Service Providers · Occupational Therapist
261QR0401X	Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility (CORF)	Ambulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center
281PC2000X	Children's Chronic Disease Hospital	Hospitals · Chronic Disease Hospital
103TP0016X	Prescribing (Medical) Psychologist	A licensed, doctoral-level psychologist authorized to prescribe and has undergone specialized education and training in preparation for prescriptive p…
313M00000X	Nursing Facility/Intermediate Care Facility	An institution (or a distinct part of an institution) which- (1) is primarily engaged in providing to residents- (A) skilled nursing care and related …

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

29 rows

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

Showing 1–10 of 29

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.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.

Published by

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

OpenPayer

CPT 31255: Anterior and Posterior Ethmoidectomy

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OpenPayer

CPT 31255: Anterior and Posterior Ethmoidectomy

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

Related Codes

References

CPT 31255: Anterior and Posterior Ethmoidectomy

Sign up for cpt 31255 policy alerts

CPT 31255: Anterior and Posterior Ethmoidectomy

Sign up for cpt 31255 policy alerts

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

Related Codes

When should CPT 31255 be used instead of CPT 31254?

What clinical findings justify performing an anterior and posterior ethmoidectomy (31255)?

Where is CPT 31255 typically performed and what are the perioperative care elements described?

Which related CPT codes might appear on the same operative report or claim with 31255?

Which diagnoses and payers are commonly associated with claims for CPT 31255?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

Related Codes

When should CPT 31255 be used instead of CPT 31254?

What clinical findings justify performing an anterior and posterior ethmoidectomy (31255)?

Where is CPT 31255 typically performed and what are the perioperative care elements described?

Which related CPT codes might appear on the same operative report or claim with 31255?

Which diagnoses and payers are commonly associated with claims for CPT 31255?

References