CPT code 69145 designates surgical excision of a localized lesion in the external auditory canal (for example, sebaceous cyst, lipoma, or cholesteatoma) performed to obtain a diagnosis and alleviate pain or hearing difficulty. This code is used across outpatient surgical settings and is relevant to otolaryngologists, surgical centers, and payers managing head and neck procedural claims. Nationally, accurate coding for 69145 matters for appropriate clinical documentation, claim adjudication, and tracking of otologic surgical volumes.

Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of clinical context—when the procedure is indicated and typical care settings—alongside payer coverage considerations and commonly reported modifiers. The publication summarizes typical billing practices and related service-line implications for ambulatory surgical centers and hospital outpatient departments.

This report provides benchmarks and policy context relevant to coding and claims processing for 69145, clarifies clinical indications tied to the code, and highlights areas where documentation supports medical necessity. Data not available in the input are noted where applicable.