31000 Irrigation maxillary sinus
Also known as: sinus irrigation, antral irrigation, sinus rinse
Irrigation of the maxillary sinus via antral puncture or through a fistula to remove retained secretions or treat maxillary sinusitis.
In Plain Language
sinus washing procedure
Clinical Context
Performed for acute or chronic maxillary sinusitis with retained secretions. Creates antral puncture (Caldwell-Luc approach) to irrigate and drain infected material.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 1.17 |
| Total RVU | 1.17 |
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 1.17, this code ranks in the 6th percentile among Surgery codes — 6.8x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 31000?
CPT 31000 (Irrigation maxillary sinus) is a Surgery code. Irrigation of the maxillary sinus via antral puncture or through a fistula to remove retained secretions or treat maxillary sinusitis.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 31000?
The work RVU for CPT 31000 is 1.17. This code is primarily used by Otolaryngology, Rhinology. It has a 10-day global period.
When is CPT 31000 used?
Performed for acute or chronic maxillary sinusitis with retained secretions. Creates antral puncture (Caldwell-Luc approach) to irrigate and drain infected material.
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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.