42825 Removal of tonsils
Surgery
Global 90d
Also known as: tonsillectomy, bilateral tonsil removal
Removal of tonsils only (bilateral tonsilectomy) via transoral approach in patient 12 years or older.
Clinical Context
Indicated for recurrent streptococcal pharyngitis, peritonsillar abscess, obstructive sleep apnea, or malignancy. Commonly performed in older children and adults.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 3.42 |
| Practice Expense RVU | 3.39 |
| Malpractice RVU | 0.48 |
| Total RVU | 7.29 |
Est. Medicare Payment
$243.49
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Specialties
Track This Code in RVU Edge
Log procedures, calculate wRVUs, and benchmark against MGMA data — all in one app.
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.