© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 42140 refers to a surgical intervention known as uvulectomy, which involves the excision of the uvula. The uvula is a small, fleshy structure that hangs at the back of the throat and plays a role in various functions, including speech and the swallowing process. Uvulectomy is typically indicated for patients who present with an enlarged or elongated uvula, which can contribute to conditions such as snoring or obstructive sleep apnea. These conditions can lead to significant sleep disturbances and may require surgical intervention to alleviate symptoms. During the procedure, the back of the throat is first treated with a topical anesthetic to minimize discomfort. Following this, a local anesthetic is injected around the uvula to ensure that the area is numb during the excision. The actual removal of the uvula is performed using an electrocautery device, which not only excises the uvula but also helps control bleeding by cauterizing the tissue as it is cut. This technique is beneficial in reducing the risk of excessive bleeding during the procedure, thereby enhancing patient safety and recovery outcomes.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The uvulectomy procedure, as described by CPT® Code 42140, is indicated for specific conditions related to the uvula. The following are the primary indications for performing this procedure:
The uvulectomy procedure involves several key steps to ensure effective excision of the uvula while minimizing patient discomfort and risk. The following outlines the procedural steps:
After the uvulectomy procedure, patients can expect a recovery period that may involve some discomfort and swelling in the throat area. It is important for patients to follow post-operative care instructions provided by their healthcare provider, which may include recommendations for pain management, hydration, and dietary modifications. Patients should be monitored for any signs of complications, such as excessive bleeding or infection, and follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess healing and recovery progress. Overall, the expected recovery time can vary, but most patients can anticipate a gradual return to normal activities as they heal.
| Short Descr | EXCISION OF UVULA | Medium Descr | UVULECTOMY EXCISION UVULA | Long Descr | Uvulectomy, excision of uvula | 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) | 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies 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 | Surgical procedure on ASC list in CY 2007; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P5E - Ambulatory procedures - other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 33 - Other OR therapeutic procedures on nose, mouth and pharynx |
| 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. | 79 | Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.) | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | SG | Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.