Rhinoplasty and related services

Nasal surgery is any procedure performed on the external or internal structures of the nose, septum or turbinate. This surgery may be performed to improve abnormal function, reconstruct congenital or acquired deformities, or to enhance appearance. When nasal surgery is performed to improve nasal respiratory function, correct anatomic abnormalities caused by birth defects or disease, or revise structural deformities produced by trauma, the procedure is considered reconstructive.

Rhinoplasty is a procedure that changes the shape or appearance of the nose while improving or preserving the nasal airway. The primary purpose for rhinoplasty can be functional, aesthetic, or both and may include other procedures on the paranasal sinuses, septum, or turbinates.

Septoplasty is a procedure used to correct deformities of the nasal septum which can often cause issues with airflow and difficulty breathing.

When nasal surgery is performed solely to improve the patient's appearance in the absence of any signs or symptoms of functional abnormalities, the procedure should be considered cosmetic in nature and noncovered under the Medicare program.

General documentation requirements

  • Medical documentation, with evaluation and management, supporting medical necessity of the service that is to be performed.
  • Radiologic imaging if done.
  • Photographs that document the nasal deformity (if applicable).
  • Documentation supporting unresponsiveness to conservative medical management (if applicable).

Codes

The services for the following CPT codes are subject to prior authorization (PA) for rhinoplasty and related services if performed in a hospital outpatient department (HOPD) for dates of service on or after July 1, 2020.

Code Description
20912 Cartilage graft; nasal septum
21210 Graft, bone; nasal, maxillary or malar areas (includes obtaining graft)
30400 Rhinoplasty, primary; lateral and alar cartilages and/or elevation of nasal tip
30410 Rhinoplasty, primary; complete, external parts including bony pyramid, lateral and alar cartilages, and/or elevation of nasal tip
30420 Rhinoplasty, primary; including major septal repair
30430 Rhinoplasty, secondary; minor revision (small amount of nasal tip work)
30435 Rhinoplasty, secondary; intermediate revision (bony work with osteotomies)
30450 Rhinoplasty, secondary; major revision (nasal tip work and osteotomies)
30460 Rhinoplasty for nasal deformity secondary to congenital cleft lip and/or palate, including columellar lengthening; tip only
30462 Rhinoplasty for nasal deformity secondary to congenital cleft lip and/or palate, including columellar lengthening; tip, septum, osteotomies
30465 Repair of nasal vestibular stenosis (eg, spreader grafting, lateral nasal wall reconstruction)
30520 Septoplasty or submucous resection, with or without cartilage scoring, contouring or replacement with graft

 

References