40820 Treatment of mouth lesion
Also known as: oral lesion treatment, cautery
Treatment of mouth lesion by cauterization, chemical destruction, or other destructive modality without excision.
In Plain Language
burning or chemically treating a mouth sore
Clinical Context
Used for non-excisional treatment of small lesions, verrucae, or benign growths using chemical agents, cautery, or other destructive methods.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 1.31 |
| Total RVU | 1.31 |
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 1.31, this code ranks in the 7th percentile among Surgery codes — 6.1x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 40820?
CPT 40820 (Treatment of mouth lesion) is a Surgery code. Treatment of mouth lesion by cauterization, chemical destruction, or other destructive modality without excision.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 40820?
The work RVU for CPT 40820 is 1.31. This code is primarily used by Oral Surgery, General Surgery, ENT. It has a 10-day global period.
When is CPT 40820 used?
Used for non-excisional treatment of small lesions, verrucae, or benign growths using chemical agents, cautery, or other destructive methods.
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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.