42400 Biopsy of salivary gland
Also known as: salivary gland biopsy, FNA biopsy
Surgical procedure to obtain a tissue sample through needle or open biopsy from a salivary gland for histopathologic diagnosis.
In Plain Language
tissue sample from salivary gland
Clinical Context
Diagnostic procedure for suspected malignancy, chronic infection, or inflammatory salivary gland disease requiring tissue diagnosis.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 0.76 |
| Total RVU | 0.76 |
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 0-day global period, meaning pre- and post-operative E&M visits are billable separately on the same day. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 0.76, this code ranks in the 2nd percentile among Surgery codes — 10.5x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 42400?
CPT 42400 (Biopsy of salivary gland) is a Surgery code. Surgical procedure to obtain a tissue sample through needle or open biopsy from a salivary gland for histopathologic diagnosis.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 42400?
The work RVU for CPT 42400 is 0.76. This code is primarily used by Oral Surgery, Dentistry, Pathology.
When is CPT 42400 used?
Diagnostic procedure for suspected malignancy, chronic infection, or inflammatory salivary gland disease requiring tissue diagnosis.
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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.