42305 Drainage of salivary gland
Also known as: salivary gland drainage, gland marsupilization
Surgical incision, drainage, and more extensive treatment of a salivary gland including marsupilization or complex drainage procedures.
In Plain Language
surgical drainage of salivary gland
Clinical Context
More complex salivary gland drainage involving infection, cyst formation, or requiring intraoral flap procedures for access and healing.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 6.15 |
| Total RVU | 6.15 |
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 6.15, this code ranks in the 41st percentile among Surgery codes — 1.3x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 42305?
CPT 42305 (Drainage of salivary gland) is a Surgery code. Surgical incision, drainage, and more extensive treatment of a salivary gland including marsupilization or complex drainage procedures.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 42305?
The work RVU for CPT 42305 is 6.15. This code is primarily used by Oral Surgery, Dentistry. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 42305 used?
More complex salivary gland drainage involving infection, cyst formation, or requiring intraoral flap procedures for access and healing.
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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.