Otolaryngology (ENT) CPT Codes in the Ambulatory Surgery Center
Otolaryngology, commonly called ENT, covers surgery of the ear, nose, throat, sinuses, and related structures of the head and neck. Many of these cases are short and low-complexity, which makes the ambulatory surgery center a natural setting. Tonsillectomy with adenoidectomy (42820) and septoplasty (30520) are familiar examples that routinely move through an ASC.
Most ENT surgery billed in an ASC falls into two CPT families: the 30000-31899 range for the nose, sinuses, larynx, and trachea, and the 69000-69979 range for the external ear, middle ear, and temporal bone. Whether a specific code suits the ASC setting depends on its ASC-eligibility status, worth confirming before scheduling. Some codes are ASC-eligible and can be performed in a certified ambulatory surgery center, while others are typically done in a hospital outpatient department or office instead. Each procedure page in this hub maps prior authorization and documentation expectations at the CPT level.
Otolaryngology (ENT) codes(1–60 of 316)
- 42820Remove tonsils and adenoids
- 31231Nasal endoscopy dx
- 69436Create eardrum opening
- 30520Repair of nasal septum
- 30000Drainage of nose lesion
- 30020Drainage of nose lesion
- 30100Intranasal biopsy
- 30110Removal of nose polyp(s)
- 30115Removal of nose polyp(s)
- 30117Removal of intranasal lesion
- 30118Removal of intranasal lesion
- 30120Revision of nose
- 30124Removal of nose lesion
- 30125Removal of nose lesion
- 30130Excise inferior turbinate
- 30140Resect inferior turbinate
- 30150Rhinectomy partial
- 30160Rhinectomy total
- 30200Injection treatment of nose
- 30210Nasal sinus therapy
- 30220Insert nasal septal button
- 30300Remove nasal foreign body
- 30310Remove nasal foreign body
- 30320Remove nasal foreign body
- 30400Reconstruction of nose
- 30410Reconstruction of nose
- 30420Reconstruction of nose
- 30430Revision of nose
- 30435Revision of nose
- 30450Revision of nose
- 30460Revision of nose
- 30462Revision of nose
- 30465Repair nasal stenosis
- 30468Rpr nsl vlv collapse w/implt
- 30469Rpr nsl vlv collapse w/rmdlg
- 30540Rpr choanal atresia ntranasl
- 30545Rpr choanal atresia trsnpltn
- 30560Lysis intranasal synechia
- 30580Repair upper jaw fistula
- 30600Repair mouth/nose fistula
- 30620Intranasal reconstruction
- 30630Repair nasal septum defect
- 30801Ablate inf turbinate superf
- 30802Ablate inf turbinate submuc
- 30901Control of nosebleed
- 30903Control of nosebleed
- 30905Control of nosebleed
- 30906Repeat control of nosebleed
- 30915Ligation nasal sinus artery
- 30920Ligation upper jaw artery
- 30930Ther fx nasal inf turbinate
- 30999Unlisted procedure nose
- 31000Irrigation maxillary sinus
- 31002Irrigation sphenoid sinus
- 31020Exploration maxillary sinus
- 31030Exploration maxillary sinus
- 31032Explore sinus remove polyps
- 31040Exploration behind upper jaw
- 31050Exploration sphenoid sinus
- 31051Sphenoid sinus surgery
Are ENT procedures performed in an ambulatory surgery center?
Yes. Many otolaryngology procedures are short, low-complexity cases that do not require an overnight stay, which makes them well suited to an ASC. Common examples include tonsil and adenoid removal (42820), septoplasty (30520), and tympanostomy tube placement (69436). Whether a specific code suits the ASC setting depends on its ASC-eligibility status, worth confirming before scheduling.
What CPT codes does otolaryngology (ENT) use?
ENT surgery primarily uses two CPT families. The 30000-31899 range covers the nose, accessory sinuses, larynx, and trachea, including procedures such as nasal endoscopy (31231) and repair of the nasal septum (30520). The 69000-69979 range covers the external ear, middle ear, and temporal bone. Our dataset maps 316 ASC-relevant ENT codes across these ranges.
How do I know if a specific ENT code is covered in an ASC?
Start with the code's ASC-eligibility status. Some codes are ASC-eligible and can be performed in a certified ambulatory surgery center, while others are typically done in a hospital outpatient department or office instead. Commercial payers can differ, and many codes carry prior authorization and documentation requirements. The DataLily procedure library tracks CPT-specific prior-authorization and documentation requirements to help teams confirm these details before the case.