46020 Placement of seton
Also known as: anal fistula seton placement, seton drainage
Placement of seton (drainage device or fibrous material) for management of anal fistula.
In Plain Language
placement of drainage string through fistula tract
Clinical Context
First-stage management of complex anal fistula to allow drainage and promote tract fibrosis before definitive closure.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 1.81 |
| Total RVU | 1.81 |
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 1.81, this code ranks in the 12th percentile among Surgery codes — 4.4x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 46020?
CPT 46020 (Placement of seton) is a Surgery code. Placement of seton (drainage device or fibrous material) for management of anal fistula.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 46020?
The work RVU for CPT 46020 is 1.81. This code is primarily used by Colorectal Surgery, General Surgery.
When is CPT 46020 used?
First-stage management of complex anal fistula to allow drainage and promote tract fibrosis before definitive closure.
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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.