42140 Excision of uvula
Also known as: uvula removal, uvulectomy
Surgical removal of the uvula, the small tissue mass that hangs from the soft palate. May be performed for obstructive sleep apnea, chronic infection, or other pathology.
In Plain Language
removal of tissue hanging from soft palate; uvula surgery
Clinical Context
Performed for obstructive sleep apnea, chronic tonsilitis, recurrent infection, or obstructive lesions. Often combined with other pharyngeal procedures.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 1.66 |
| Total RVU | 1.66 |
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 1.66, this code ranks in the 10th percentile among Surgery codes — 4.8x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 42140?
CPT 42140 (Excision of uvula) is a Surgery code. Surgical removal of the uvula, the small tissue mass that hangs from the soft palate. May be performed for obstructive sleep apnea, chronic infection, or other pathology.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 42140?
The work RVU for CPT 42140 is 1.66. This code is primarily used by Oral Surgery, Otolaryngology, Dentistry. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 42140 used?
Performed for obstructive sleep apnea, chronic tonsilitis, recurrent infection, or obstructive lesions. Often combined with other pharyngeal procedures.
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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.