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Forehead reduction surgery, specifically described by CPT® Code 21137, is a surgical procedure aimed at reducing and reshaping a prominent or asymmetrical frontal bone in the forehead area. This procedure is particularly relevant for individuals who may have an overly prominent forehead or asymmetrical features that can affect their facial aesthetics. The surgery begins with an incision made at the junction of the forehead and the hairline, which helps to conceal the scar post-operatively. Following the incision, the skin and soft tissues of the forehead are carefully undermined to the level of the brows, allowing for direct access to the frontal bone. In the context of CPT® Code 21137, the procedure focuses on contouring the forehead by reducing the bony prominences and sculpting the frontal bone using a surgical bur. This technique is distinct from other related procedures, such as those described in CPT® Codes 21138 and 21139, which involve additional methods such as the use of prosthetic materials or bone grafts to enhance symmetry and address deeper structural issues. Overall, the goal of forehead reduction surgery is to achieve a more balanced and aesthetically pleasing forehead contour, enhancing the overall facial harmony.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
Forehead reduction surgery, as indicated by CPT® Code 21137, is performed for the following conditions:
The procedure for forehead reduction surgery under CPT® Code 21137 involves several key steps:
After the forehead reduction surgery, patients can expect a recovery period that may involve swelling and bruising in the forehead area. Post-operative care typically includes pain management and instructions for wound care to ensure proper healing. Patients are advised to avoid strenuous activities and follow-up appointments are essential to monitor the healing process and assess the results of the surgery. Any excess skin is excised during the procedure, and the incision is closed in layers to promote optimal healing and minimize scarring.
| Short Descr | RDCTJ FOREHEAD CNTRG ONLY | Medium Descr | REDUCTION FOREHEAD CONTOURING ONLY | Long Descr | Reduction forehead; contouring only | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | 090 - Major Surgery | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 2 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery does not apply to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC | ASC Payment Indicator | Non office-based surgical procedure added in CY 2008 or later; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P3D - Major procedure, orthopedic - other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 161 - Other OR therapeutic procedures on bone |
| 22 | Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | 51 | Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 52 | Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use). | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | 82 | Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident surgeon not available): the unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of modifier 82 appended to the usual procedure code number(s). | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure |
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| 2025-01-01 | Changed | Short Description changed. |
| 1991-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1991. |
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