30020 Drainage of nose lesion
Also known as: nasal lesion drainage, nose cyst I&D, nasal pus drainage
Incision and drainage of a nasal lesion, abscess, or cyst, performed with or without local anesthesia for therapeutic drainage and fluid evacuation.
In Plain Language
nose abscess drainage; nose swelling drainage
Clinical Context
Performed for infected or symptomatic nasal lesions, cysts, or fluctuant masses causing obstruction, pain, or infection.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 1.44 |
| Total RVU | 1.44 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
As a surgical CPT code, proper documentation must include the operative report detailing the procedure performed, patient positioning, approach, findings, and any complications. This code has a 10-day global period — follow-up visits within 10 days of the procedure are included in the reimbursement. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 1.44, this code ranks in the 8th percentile among Surgery codes — 5.6x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 30020?
CPT 30020 (Drainage of nose lesion) is a Surgery code. Incision and drainage of a nasal lesion, abscess, or cyst, performed with or without local anesthesia for therapeutic drainage and fluid evacuation.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 30020?
The work RVU for CPT 30020 is 1.44. This code is primarily used by Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. It has a 10-day global period.
When is CPT 30020 used?
Performed for infected or symptomatic nasal lesions, cysts, or fluctuant masses causing obstruction, pain, or infection.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.