31253 Nsl/sinus ndsc total
Also known as: complete endoscopic sinus surgery, comprehensive ESS, total endoscopic sinusotomy
Complete nasal and sinus endoscopic surgery including comprehensive management of all paranasal sinuses.
In Plain Language
complete nasal sinus surgery
Clinical Context
Comprehensive endoscopic sinus surgery addressing disease in maxillary, ethmoid, sphenoid sinuses. Standard for severe chronic rhinosinusitis management.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 8.78 |
| Total RVU | 8.78 |
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 0-day global period, meaning pre- and post-operative E&M visits are billable separately on the same day. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 8.78, this code ranks in the 54th percentile among Surgery codes — 1.1x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 31253?
CPT 31253 (Nsl/sinus ndsc total) is a Surgery code. Complete nasal and sinus endoscopic surgery including comprehensive management of all paranasal sinuses.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 31253?
The work RVU for CPT 31253 is 8.78. This code is primarily used by Otolaryngology, Rhinology.
When is CPT 31253 used?
Comprehensive endoscopic sinus surgery addressing disease in maxillary, ethmoid, sphenoid sinuses. Standard for severe chronic rhinosinusitis management.
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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.