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CPT Code 00160: Anesthesia for Procedures on the Nose — Complete Billing & Coding Guide
What Does CPT Code 00160 Mean?
CPT code 00160 describes anesthesia services provided for procedures on the nose — limited. This code covers nasal procedures that do not involve the paranasal sinuses — distinguishing it from CPT 00103 (nose and sinuses). Common procedures include closed reduction of nasal fracture, septoplasty, rhinoplasty (cosmetic or functional), nasal biopsy, and turbinate reduction. This is one of the most frequently used nose anesthesia codes in the 00100-00222 range.
Key Code Attributes:
- Billable Status: Fully billable as a standalone anesthesia service
- Base Units (CMS 2026): 3
- Primary Setting: Ambulatory surgery center or hospital outpatient department
- Provider Type: Anesthesiologist (MD/DO), CRNA with physician supervision, or anesthesia assistant under physician direction
- Service Category: General anesthesia (most common) or MAC
- Effective Status: Active CPT code with no planned retirement (verified through 2026)
- Common Surgical Partners: ENT (otolaryngology), facial plastic surgery, plastic surgery
What Services and Procedures Does CPT Code 00160 Cover?
Covered Procedures:
- Closed reduction of nasal bone fracture
- Septoplasty for nasal airway obstruction
- Rhinoplasty (cosmetic — external or closed approach)
- Rhinoplasty (functional — nasal valve repair, tip rhinoplasty)
- Nasal biopsy (excisional or incisional)
- Removal of nasal foreign body under general anesthesia
- Nasal packing or cautery for epistaxis under anesthesia
- Turbinate reduction (submucous resection, radiofrequency)
- Excision of nasal lesion (external approach, not involving sinuses)
- Nasal synechiae lysis
Exclusions
| Excluded | Correct Code | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| FESS or sinus surgery | 00103 | Sinus involvement requires broader code |
| Septoplasty with FESS | 00103 | Combined nasal and sinus procedure |
| Rhinectomy or total nasal reconstruction | 00162 | Radical nasal procedure |
| Nasal biopsy (minor, office-based) | Not billable | No anesthesia provider involvement |
| Integumentary nasal skin procedures | 00100 | Skin-only procedures (e.g., skin cancer excision on nose) |
Code Selection
| Code | Anatomic Area | Base Units (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 00160 | Nose — limited | 3 |
| 00103 | Nose and sinuses | 4 |
| 00162 | Nose — radical | 4 |
| 00164 | Nose — biopsy | 3 |
| 00100 | Integumentary — head and neck | 3 |
Reimbursement
| Component | Facility |
|---|---|
| Total RVU | 1.01 |
| Est. Medicare | ~$33-36 |
Base Units
| Component | Value |
|---|---|
| Base Units (CMS 2026) | 3 |
| Time Increment | 15 min |
Real-World Scenario
A 28-year-old with nasal obstruction undergoes septoplasty with turbinate reduction under general anesthesia via ETT. Time: 45 min. ASA I.
Coding: CPT 00160 + AA + P1. Base 3, time 3, total 6 units. Est. ~$210.
Key Takeaways
- CPT 00160 is for nasal procedures without sinus involvement
- Base units 3 — lower than sinus codes (4)
- Distinguish from CPT 00103 when sinuses are involved
- Not for integumentary-only nasal skin procedures (use 00100)
- Single code per anesthetic session
References
- CMS PFS: cms.gov
- ASA Relative Value Guide
- American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery
