42700 incision and drainage abscess peritonsillar
Also known as: abscess drainage, peritonsillar abscess drainage
Surgical incision and drainage of a peritonsillar abscess, a localized collection of pus adjacent to or within the tonsillar region.
In Plain Language
drainage of throat abscess; drainage of infection near tonsil
Clinical Context
Emergency or urgent drainage of peritonsillar abscess causing difficulty swallowing, breathing obstruction, or severe pharyngitis.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 1.63 |
| Total RVU | 1.63 |
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 1.63, this code ranks in the 10th percentile among Surgery codes — 4.9x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 42700?
CPT 42700 (incision and drainage abscess peritonsillar) is a Surgery code. Surgical incision and drainage of a peritonsillar abscess, a localized collection of pus adjacent to or within the tonsillar region.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 42700?
The work RVU for CPT 42700 is 1.63. This code is primarily used by Otolaryngology, Dentistry. It has a 10-day global period.
When is CPT 42700 used?
Emergency or urgent drainage of peritonsillar abscess causing difficulty swallowing, breathing obstruction, or severe pharyngitis.
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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.