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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesEndoscopy Procedures on the Accessory SinusesCPT cpt-31257-ethmoidectomy-with-sphenoidotomy
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    CPT 31257: Ethmoidectomy with Sphenoid Sinus Opening Widening

    Medicare pays $380 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 31257 describes a surgical procedure involving complete excision of the anterior and posterior ethmoid air cells with widening of the sphenoid sinus opening, performed to treat chronic sinusitis; this is an endoscopic sinus surgery service typically provided in an operative setting such as an ambulatory surgery center or hospital operating room and is classified as an otolaryngology/rhinology sinus procedure.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use Disorders, Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use Disorders, Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use Disorders.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 42-year-old patient with a multi-year history of refractory chronic rhinosinusitis presents after failed medical therapy including prolonged antibiotics, topical and systemic corticosteroids, and multiple courses of nasal irrigation. Imaging with CT scan demonstrates opacification and mucosal thickening of the anterior and posterior ethmoid air cells with obstruction of sphenoid sinus ostium. The otolaryngologist schedules endoscopic sinus surgery with complete ethmoidectomy (anterior and posterior) and widening of the sphenoid sinus ostium to re-establish drainage and ventilation.

    Preoperative workflow includes focused history and nasal endoscopy, review of CT sinus images, medical optimization (antibiotic or steroid management as needed), anesthesia evaluation, and consent explaining risks (bleeding, CSF leak, orbital injury). Intraoperative workflow includes general endotracheal anesthesia, use of endoscopic instruments to perform complete excision of ethmoid air cells and sphenoid ostium enlargement, hemostasis, and nasal packing or splints as indicated. Postoperative workflow includes recovery monitoring, discharge instructions for saline irrigations and topical therapy, postoperative endoscopic debridement in clinic, and follow-up imaging or visits if symptoms persist or complications arise.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    31237Nasal/sinus endoscopy, surgical, with uncinectomy (with or without middle meatal antrostomy)Often performed in the same session to address maxillary sinus drainage during ethmoidectomy.
    31254Nasal/sinus endoscopy, surgical; ethmoidectomy, partial (anterior)Performed when disease is limited to anterior ethmoid; 31257 represents complete (anterior and posterior) ethmoidectomy and may be billed instead when both are done.
    31276Nasal/sinus endoscopy, surgical, with dilation of frontal sinus ostiumMay be performed concurrently if frontal recess disease requires frontal sinus access or dilation.
    31267Nasal/sinus endoscopy, surgical; sphenoidotomySphenoid sinus surgery or ostium enlargement is related; 31257 includes widening of sphenoid ostium as part of the complete ethmoidectomy.
    30130Repair, nasal septal perforation; simpleMay be performed before or after sinus surgery if septal pathology requires correction for improved access or symptom control.

    Related Modifiers

    10 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…
    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…
    58Modifier 58 (Staged or related procedure/service by the same physician during the postoperative period) indicates that a subsequent procedure performed by the same provider during the…- Use modifier 58 when the same physician/QHP performs a procedure during the postoperative/global period of an earlier procedure and the subsequent procedure is either planned or anticipated…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207Y00000XOtolaryngology PhysicianAn otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon provides comprehensive medical and surgical care for patients with diseases and disorders that affect the ea…
    2084P0800XPsychiatry PhysicianA Psychiatrist specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders, emotional disorders, psychotic disorders, mood disorders, …
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    173000000XLegal MedicineThe specialty areas of medicine concerned with matters of, and relations with, substantive law and legal institutions; such as the conduct of medical …
    207SG0202XClinical Biochemical Genetics PhysicianA clinical biochemical geneticist demonstrates competence in performing and interpreting biochemical analyses relevant to the diagnosis and management…
    103TE1100XExercise & Sports PsychologistA psychologist with a proficiency in sports psychology that uses psychological knowledge and skills to address optimal performance and well-being of a…
    331L00000XBlood BankAn institution (organization or distinct part thereof) that performs, or is responsible for the performance of, the collection, processing, storage an…
    174400000XSpecialistAn individual educated and trained in an applied knowledge discipline used in the performance of work at a level requiring knowledge and skills beyond…

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Anesthesiology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    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
    Mm_0579_Coveragepositioncriteria_Anesthesia_Services_Selected_Nerve_BlocksCigna2026-05-15
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric DisordersBlue Cross Blue Shield - North Carolina2026-04-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric DisordersBlue Cross Blue Shield - North Carolina2026-04-01

    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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