42120 Remove palate/lesion
Also known as: soft palate resection, palatectomy, palate removal
Surgical removal of the soft palate and/or associated lesions. May include partial or complete resection depending on extent of pathology.
In Plain Language
removal of soft palate; palate surgery
Clinical Context
Complex surgical procedure performed for malignancy, severe chronic infection, or obstructive lesions of soft palate including cancer, infection, or mechanical obstruction.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 11.56 |
| Total RVU | 11.56 |
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 11.56, this code ranks in the 64th percentile among Surgery codes — 1.4x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 42120?
CPT 42120 (Remove palate/lesion) is a Surgery code. Surgical removal of the soft palate and/or associated lesions. May include partial or complete resection depending on extent of pathology.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 42120?
The work RVU for CPT 42120 is 11.56. This code is primarily used by Oral Surgery, Dentistry, Head and Neck Surgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 42120 used?
Complex surgical procedure performed for malignancy, severe chronic infection, or obstructive lesions of soft palate including cancer, infection, or mechanical obstruction.
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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.