42182 Repair palate
Also known as: palate repair, palatoplasty
Surgical repair of the soft palate, typically for lacerations, traumatic defects, or palatal insufficiency of varying sizes.
In Plain Language
stitching or repairing soft palate
Clinical Context
Repair of palatal defects from trauma, post-operative complications, congenital insufficiency, or other pathology affecting palatal function.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 3.77 |
| Total RVU | 3.77 |
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 3.77, this code ranks in the 26th percentile among Surgery codes — 2.1x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 42182?
CPT 42182 (Repair palate) is a Surgery code. Surgical repair of the soft palate, typically for lacerations, traumatic defects, or palatal insufficiency of varying sizes.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 42182?
The work RVU for CPT 42182 is 3.77. This code is primarily used by Oral Surgery, Dentistry. It has a 10-day global period.
When is CPT 42182 used?
Repair of palatal defects from trauma, post-operative complications, congenital insufficiency, or other pathology affecting palatal function.
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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.