21601 excision chest wall tumor with ribs
Also known as: chest wall tumor excision with ribs, radical chest wall resection
Excision of chest wall tumor with adjacent ribs and musculature. Radical removal of chest wall malignancy including involved ribs and surrounding muscle for adequate oncologic margins.
In Plain Language
chest wall cancer surgery; surgical removal of chest tumor with ribs
Clinical Context
Used for malignant chest wall tumors invading ribs requiring wide resection with involved rib(s) and musculature. Oncologic principle requires including affected structures with adequate margins for complete tumor removal.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 17.34 |
| Total RVU | 17.34 |
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 90-day global period, which includes the day of the procedure, 1 day preoperative, and 90 days of postoperative care. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 17.34, this code ranks in the 78th percentile among Surgery codes — 2.2x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 21601?
CPT 21601 (excision chest wall tumor with ribs) is a Surgery code. Excision of chest wall tumor with adjacent ribs and musculature. Radical removal of chest wall malignancy including involved ribs and surrounding muscle for adequate oncologic margins.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 21601?
The work RVU for CPT 21601 is 17.34. This code is primarily used by Thoracic Surgery, General Surgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 21601 used?
Used for malignant chest wall tumors invading ribs requiring wide resection with involved rib(s) and musculature. Oncologic principle requires including affected structures with adequate margins for complete tumor removal.
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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.