CPT 69550 Aural Glomus Tumor — Reimbursement | OpenPayer

Summary & Overview

CPT 69550: Excision of Aural Glomus Tumor via External Auditory Canal

CPT code 69550 represents surgical excision of an aural glomus tumor through an incision in the external auditory canal. This otologic procedure is clinically important because glomus tumors can cause pain, hearing disturbance, and local destruction; surgical removal is a common definitive treatment. Nationally, attention to correct coding and site-of-service designation affects billing, payer adjudication, and quality tracking for ear and skull-base procedures.

Key payers included in this analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context for 69550, common sites of service where the procedure is delivered, and the payer landscape relevant to reimbursement and claims processing. The publication summarizes available benchmarks and coverage considerations, highlights typical billing practices, and notes common modifiers used with this type of surgical service. It also outlines where data was not available in the input to guide readers on potential gaps.

This summary is intended for a national audience of clinicians, coding professionals, and policy analysts seeking a clear reference for CPT code 69550 and its clinical and billing implications.

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthUnitedHealthcareMedicare69550CPTotologysurgical-excisionaural-glomus-tumorambulatory-surgeryhospital-operating-room

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 69550 describes surgical removal of an aural glomus tumor via an incision in the external auditory canal. The procedure is performed to relieve symptoms such as pain caused by the tumor.

Service type: Surgical excision of an aural (ear) glomus tumor
Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or ambulatory surgery center, with the procedure accessed through the external auditory canal

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A typical patient is an adult presenting to otolaryngology with progressive unilateral otalgia, pulsatile tinnitus, or conductive hearing loss. Examination reveals a vascular mass behind the tympanic membrane or within the external auditory canal consistent with an aural (glomus) tumor. Audiometry and imaging (CT or MRI) confirm a localized glomus lesion confined to the external auditory canal/tympanic region without extensive skull base invasion. The provider schedules a surgical excision via an incision in the external auditory canal under general anesthesia. Perioperative workflow includes preoperative history and physical, informed consent documenting risks (hearing change, facial nerve injury, bleeding), surgical site marking, anesthesia evaluation, intraoperative removal of the tumor through the canal incision, hemostasis, and placement of any packing or dressing. Postoperative care includes short observation, pain control, instructions for ear care, and follow-up for wound check and audiologic reassessment.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`11`	Normally expected performance and/or outcome of the service	Use when the procedure is performed as planned without complications.
`22`

Related Codes

CPT-69540-EAR-POLYP-EXCISION

CPT 69540: Excision of Polyp from Inside the Ear

CPT-69505-MODIFIED-RADICAL-MASTOIDECTOMY

CPT 69505: Modified Radical Mastoidectomy

CPT-69535-TEMPORAL-BONE-RESECTION-EXTERNAL-EAR-APPROACH

CPT 69535: Temporal Bone Resection via External Ear Approach

CPT-69501-TRANSMASTOID-ANTROTOMY-SIMPLE-MASTOIDECTOMY

CPT 69501: Transmastoid Antrotomy (Simple Mastoidectomy)

CPT-69554-AURAL-GLOMUS-TUMOR-EXCISION-MASTOIDECTOMY

CPT 69554: Excision of Aural Glomus Tumor with Mastoidectomy

CPT-69502-COMPLETE-MASTOIDECTOMY

CPT 69502: Complete Mastoidectomy

CPT-69530-PETROUS-TEMPORAL-BONE-RESECTION-OTOLOGIC-SURGERY

CPT 69530: Petrous Temporal Bone Resection for Middle Ear and Mastoid Disease

CPT-69552-AURAL-GLOMUS-TUMOR-MASTOID-APPROACH-EXCISION

CPT 69552: Aural Glomus Tumor Excision via Mastoid Approach

CPT-69511-RADICAL-MASTOIDECTOMY-SURGICAL-OTOLOGY

CPT 69511: Radical Mastoidectomy, Surgical Otologic Procedure

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207V00000X	Otolaryngology (ENT)	Primary specialty performing excision of aural glomus tumors.
2080P0226X	Otology & Neurotology	Subspecialists managing complex or skull-base–adjacent glomus tumors.
207VP0000X	Head and Neck Surgery	Surgeons involved when lesion extends toward skull base or requires multi-discipline planning.
207L00000X	General Surgery	May be involved in multidisciplinary cases, though uncommon for isolated external auditory canal lesions.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`D18.01`	Hemangioma of head and neck	Vascular benign tumors in the head/neck region that may present similarly to glomus lesions; differential diagnosis.
`D18.02`	Hemangioma of other sites	Represents vascular tumors that can inform diagnostic considerations for ear masses.
`D44.3`	Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of other specified sites	Used when histology is indeterminate preoperatively pending pathology.
`D37.9`	Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of skin, unspecified	May be used if lesion classification is uncertain prior to definitive pathology.
`H72.89`	Other disorders of tympanic membrane	Used when tumor affects or is located near the tympanic membrane requiring repair or inspection.
`H93.2`	Tinnitus, unspecified	Symptom commonly reported with vascular ear tumors; may be an indication for surgical intervention.
`H90.3`	Sensorineural hearing loss, bilateral	Hearing symptoms associated with ear tumors; audiologic findings guide management.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`69710`	Excision of lesion of external auditory canal; exostosis or osteoma	Performed when bony lesions are present or require removal in conjunction with tumor excision.
`69200`	Removal impacted cerumen (one or both ears)	May precede visualization or minor in-office management before operative excision if cerumen obstructs view.
`69210`	Removal foreign body, external ear or canal; without general anesthesia	Used for simple non-tumor removals in clinic; contrasts with operative excision under CPT `69550`.
`69436`	Tympanostomy (myringotomy) with insertion of ventilating tube(s)	May be performed concurrently if middle ear ventilation is addressed during the surgical encounter.
`69990`	Microsurgical techniques, requiring use of an operating microscope (list separately in addition to code for primary procedure)	Billed as an adjunct when operative microscope is used for precision during glomus tumor excision.