42180 Repair lac palate<2 centimeters
Also known as: palate repair, palatal laceration repair
Surgical repair of a laceration or small traumatic defect of the soft palate measuring less than 2 centimeters using primary closure technique.
In Plain Language
stitching tear in soft palate
Clinical Context
Emergency or elective repair of traumatic palatal laceration or small wound defects from injury, instrumentation, or post-operative complications.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 2.49 |
| Total RVU | 2.49 |
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 2.49, this code ranks in the 17th percentile among Surgery codes — 3.2x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 42180?
CPT 42180 (Repair lac palate<2 centimeters) is a Surgery code. Surgical repair of a laceration or small traumatic defect of the soft palate measuring less than 2 centimeters using primary closure technique.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 42180?
The work RVU for CPT 42180 is 2.49. This code is primarily used by Oral Surgery, Dentistry. It has a 10-day global period.
When is CPT 42180 used?
Emergency or elective repair of traumatic palatal laceration or small wound defects from injury, instrumentation, or post-operative complications.
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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.