42320 Drainage of salivary gland
Also known as: salivary gland drainage
Surgical incision and drainage of a salivary gland obstruction involving deeper structures or requiring more extensive surgical access.
In Plain Language
drainage of deep salivary gland infection
Clinical Context
Complex drainage of salivary gland infection or obstruction involving deeper parotid or submandibular structures.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 2.34 |
| Total RVU | 2.34 |
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 2.34, this code ranks in the 16th percentile among Surgery codes — 3.4x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 42320?
CPT 42320 (Drainage of salivary gland) is a Surgery code. Surgical incision and drainage of a salivary gland obstruction involving deeper structures or requiring more extensive surgical access.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 42320?
The work RVU for CPT 42320 is 2.34. This code is primarily used by Oral Surgery, Dentistry. It has a 10-day global period.
When is CPT 42320 used?
Complex drainage of salivary gland infection or obstruction involving deeper parotid or submandibular structures.
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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.