What Does CPT Code 00162 Mean?

CPT code 00162 describes anesthesia services provided for radical procedures on the nose — more extensive than CPT 00160 (limited nose) but still confined to the nasal structures without sinus involvement. This code covers rhinectomy (total or partial nasal amputation), total nasal reconstruction, and extensive cancer resections of the nose that may require skin grafting, flap reconstruction, or complex wound closure. Base units are 4, reflecting the greater complexity compared to limited nasal procedures (00160 at 3 units).

Key Code Attributes:

• Base Units (CMS 2026): 4
• Primary Setting: Hospital outpatient department or operating room
• Service Category: General anesthesia
• Common Procedures: Rhinectomy, total nasal reconstruction, extensive cancer resection

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What Procedures Does CPT 00162 Cover?

• Total or partial rhinectomy for cancer
• Total nasal reconstruction with forehead flap or other techniques
• Extensive nasal tumor excision with complex reconstruction
• Nasal amputation revision
• Composite nasal resection with flap closure

Exclusions

Excluded	Correct Code
Limited septoplasty or rhinoplasty	00160
FESS or sinus involvement	00103
Integumentary nasal skin procedures	00100

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Code Selection

Code	Anatomic Area	Base Units
00162	Nose — radical	4
00160	Nose — limited	3
00103	Nose and sinuses	4
00164	Nose — biopsy	3

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Real-World Scenario

A 72-year-old with extensive basal cell carcinoma of the nose undergoes total rhinectomy with paramedian forehead flap reconstruction under general anesthesia. Time: 180 min. ASA II.

Coding: CPT 00162 + AA + P2. Base 4, time 12, total 16 units.

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Key Takeaways

• CPT 00162 is for radical nasal surgery (rhinectomy, total reconstruction)
• Base units 4 — higher than limited nose (3)
• Distinguish from 00160 (limited) and 00103 (sinus involvement)
• General anesthesia is standard due to case complexity and duration

References

• CMS PFS: cms.gov
• ASA Relative Value Guide