40808 Biopsy of mouth lesion
Also known as: oral biopsy, intraoral biopsy
Biopsy of mouth lesion sampling oral tissue. Removal of tissue sample from oral cavity for diagnostic examination.
In Plain Language
taking a small sample from the mouth
Clinical Context
Used for suspicious lesions including white patches, ulcers, or pigmented changes. Essential for oral cancer screening and diagnosis.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 1.02 |
| Total RVU | 1.02 |
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 1.02, this code ranks in the 4th percentile among Surgery codes — 7.8x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 40808?
CPT 40808 (Biopsy of mouth lesion) is a Surgery code. Biopsy of mouth lesion sampling oral tissue. Removal of tissue sample from oral cavity for diagnostic examination.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 40808?
The work RVU for CPT 40808 is 1.02. This code is primarily used by Oral Surgery, General Surgery, Otolaryngology. It has a 10-day global period.
When is CPT 40808 used?
Used for suspicious lesions including white patches, ulcers, or pigmented changes. Essential for oral cancer screening and diagnosis.
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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.