49020 Drainage abdominal abscess open
Also known as: Abscess drainage, open drainage, incision and drainage
Surgical drainage of an intra-abdominal abscess through an open incision by providing external drainage or marsupializing cavity.
In Plain Language
Opening and draining an abdominal infection
Clinical Context
Performed for localized intra-abdominal abscess when percutaneous drainage fails or anatomy precludes it.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 26.00 |
| Total RVU | 26.00 |
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 90-day global period, which includes the day of the procedure, 1 day preoperative, and 90 days of postoperative care. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 26.00, this code ranks in the 90th percentile among Surgery codes — 3.3x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 49020?
CPT 49020 (Drainage abdominal abscess open) is a Surgery code. Surgical drainage of an intra-abdominal abscess through an open incision by providing external drainage or marsupializing cavity.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 49020?
The work RVU for CPT 49020 is 26.00. This code is primarily used by General Surgery, Surgical Oncology. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 49020 used?
Performed for localized intra-abdominal abscess when percutaneous drainage fails or anatomy precludes it.
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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.