ICD-10-PCS Code For Tongue Palate Pharynx Muscle: Procedure Code Group Overview

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS) code group 0KX4 includes procedures performed to transfer muscle tissue in the tongue, palate, and pharynx to take over the function of another body part. These ICD-10-PCS codes are used for inpatient documentation when a muscle transfer is performed to restore or reassign function within the oropharyngeal region. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-PCS 0KX4 group is essential for proper inpatient reimbursement, as it captures the specific transfer procedure performed and determines appropriate case mix and payment.

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Tongue, Palate, Pharynx Muscle Transfer Procedure Overview

This procedure group includes transfer operations that move all or a portion of tongue, palate, or pharynx muscle to another location to take over the function of a body part. These procedures target the muscles body system and involve repositioning tissue without removing it from the body. Accurate ICD-10-PCS coding of these transfers is important for inpatient reimbursement because it documents the specific transfer performed and supports appropriate case mix and payment.

Code Attributes

Character	ICD-10-PCS Category	Code Group Details
0	Section	Medical and Surgical
K	Body System	Muscles
X	Operation	Transfer
4	Body Part	Tongue, Palate, Pharynx Muscle

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ICD-10-PCS Code For Tongue Palate Pharynx Muscle: Procedure Code Group Overview

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Tongue, Palate, Pharynx Muscle Transfer Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

Character	ICD-10-PCS Category	Code Group Details
0	Section	Medical and Surgical
K	Body System	Muscles
X	Operation	Transfer
4	Body Part	Tongue, Palate, Pharynx Muscle

When to Use

Use a code from this group when an intraoperative transfer of tongue, palate, or pharynx muscle is performed to restore or reassign function within the oropharyngeal area. These codes apply only when the operation is a transfer and no excision of the transferred tissue is performed.

ICD-10-PCS Codes

8 rows

ICD-10-PCS Code	Description
0KX40Z0	Transfer Tongue, Palate, Pharynx Muscle with Skin, Open Approach
0KX40Z1	Transfer Tongue, Palate, Pharynx Muscle with Subcutaneous Tissue, Open Approach
0KX40Z2	Transfer Tongue, Palate, Pharynx Muscle with Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue, Open Approach
0KX40ZZ	Transfer Tongue, Palate, Pharynx Muscle, Open Approach
0KX44Z0	Transfer Tongue, Palate, Pharynx Muscle with Skin, Percutaneous Endoscopic Approach
0KX44Z1	Transfer Tongue, Palate, Pharynx Muscle with Subcutaneous Tissue, Percutaneous Endoscopic Approach
0KX44Z2	Transfer Tongue, Palate, Pharynx Muscle with Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue, Percutaneous Endoscopic Approach
0KX44ZZ	Transfer Tongue, Palate, Pharynx Muscle, Percutaneous Endoscopic Approach

DRG Codes

6 rows

DRG Code	Description
040	Peripheral, Cranial Nerve and Other Nervous System Procedures with MCC
041	Peripheral, Cranial Nerve and Other Nervous System Procedures with CC or Peripheral Neurostimulator
042	Peripheral, Cranial Nerve and Other Nervous System Procedures without CC/MCC
500	Soft Tissue Procedures with MCC
501	Soft Tissue Procedures with CC
502	Soft Tissue Procedures without CC/MCC

Typical Clinical Scenarios

A middle-aged patient presents after a motor vehicle collision with a large partial-thickness defect of the lateral tongue and loss of muscle continuity causing impaired swallowing and speech. In the inpatient setting, reconstructive surgeons perform an immediate local muscle transfer of adjacent tongue and palatal muscle tissue to restore mobility and oral competence, using an open approach due to the extent of injury. Typical codes: 0KX40ZZ.
An adult with long-standing velopharyngeal insufficiency and hypernasal speech undergoes a planned elective procedure to reposition palatal musculature to improve velar closure during speech. The operation is performed using a percutaneous endoscopic approach to transfer a portion of palatal muscle without excising the tissue, with the goal of restoring function. Typical codes: 0KX44ZZ.
A patient with recurrent oropharyngeal fistula after prior cancer resection and flap failure is admitted for revision surgery to reestablish swallowing and separate the aerodigestive tract. The surgical team transfers tongue and adjacent subcutaneous muscle tissue using an open approach to provide functional bulk and close the defect as part of the complex revision. Typical codes: 0KX40Z1, 0KX40Z2.

Related Codes

0KX0-HEAD-TRANSFER

ICD-10-PCS Code For Head Muscle: Procedure Code Group Overview

0KX1-FACIAL-MUSCLE-TRANSFER

ICD-10-PCS Code For Facial Muscle: Procedure Code Group Overview

0KX2-NECK-MUSCLE-TRANSFER

ICD-10-PCS Code For Neck Muscle, Right: Procedure Code Group Overview

0KX3-NECK-MUSCLE-LEFT-TRANSFER

ICD-10-PCS Code For Neck Muscle, Left: Procedure Code Group Overview

0KX5-RIGHT-SHOULDER-MOVING-SHOULDER-MUSCLE-TRANSFER

ICD-10-PCS Code For Shoulder Muscle, Right: Procedure Code Group Overview

0KX6-LEFT-SHOULDER-MUSCLE-TRANSFER

ICD-10-PCS Code For Left Shoulder Muscle: Procedure Code Group Overview

0KX7-UPPER-ARM-MUSCLE-TRANSFER

ICD-10-PCS Code For Upper Arm Muscle Right: Procedure Code Group Overview

0KX8-UPPER-ARM-MUSCLE-LEFT-TRANSFER

ICD-10-PCS Code For Upper Arm Muscle Left: Procedure Code Group Overview

0KX9-LOWER-ARM-AND-WRIST-TRANSFER

ICD-10-PCS Code For Lower Arm And Wrist Muscle: Procedure Code Group Overview

0KXB-LEFT-LOWER-ARM-TRANSFER

ICD-10-PCS Code For Lower Arm And Wrist Muscle Left: Procedure Code Group Overview

Showing 1–10 of 27

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

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When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

8 rows

ICD-10-PCS Code	Description
0KX40Z0	Transfer Tongue, Palate, Pharynx Muscle with Skin, Open Approach
0KX40Z1	Transfer Tongue, Palate, Pharynx Muscle with Subcutaneous Tissue, Open Approach
0KX40Z2	Transfer Tongue, Palate, Pharynx Muscle with Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue, Open Approach
0KX40ZZ	Transfer Tongue, Palate, Pharynx Muscle, Open Approach
0KX44Z0	Transfer Tongue, Palate, Pharynx Muscle with Skin, Percutaneous Endoscopic Approach
0KX44Z1	Transfer Tongue, Palate, Pharynx Muscle with Subcutaneous Tissue, Percutaneous Endoscopic Approach
0KX44Z2	Transfer Tongue, Palate, Pharynx Muscle with Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue, Percutaneous Endoscopic Approach
0KX44ZZ	Transfer Tongue, Palate, Pharynx Muscle, Percutaneous Endoscopic Approach

DRG Codes

6 rows

DRG Code	Description
040	Peripheral, Cranial Nerve and Other Nervous System Procedures with MCC
041	Peripheral, Cranial Nerve and Other Nervous System Procedures with CC or Peripheral Neurostimulator
042	Peripheral, Cranial Nerve and Other Nervous System Procedures without CC/MCC
500	Soft Tissue Procedures with MCC
501	Soft Tissue Procedures with CC
502	Soft Tissue Procedures without CC/MCC

Typical Clinical Scenarios

A middle-aged patient presents after a motor vehicle collision with a large partial-thickness defect of the lateral tongue and loss of muscle continuity causing impaired swallowing and speech. In the inpatient setting, reconstructive surgeons perform an immediate local muscle transfer of adjacent tongue and palatal muscle tissue to restore mobility and oral competence, using an open approach due to the extent of injury. Typical codes: 0KX40ZZ.
An adult with long-standing velopharyngeal insufficiency and hypernasal speech undergoes a planned elective procedure to reposition palatal musculature to improve velar closure during speech. The operation is performed using a percutaneous endoscopic approach to transfer a portion of palatal muscle without excising the tissue, with the goal of restoring function. Typical codes: 0KX44ZZ.
A patient with recurrent oropharyngeal fistula after prior cancer resection and flap failure is admitted for revision surgery to reestablish swallowing and separate the aerodigestive tract. The surgical team transfers tongue and adjacent subcutaneous muscle tissue using an open approach to provide functional bulk and close the defect as part of the complex revision. Typical codes: 0KX40Z1, 0KX40Z2.

Related Codes

0KX0-HEAD-TRANSFER

ICD-10-PCS Code For Head Muscle: Procedure Code Group Overview

0KX1-FACIAL-MUSCLE-TRANSFER

ICD-10-PCS Code For Facial Muscle: Procedure Code Group Overview

0KX2-NECK-MUSCLE-TRANSFER

ICD-10-PCS Code For Neck Muscle, Right: Procedure Code Group Overview

0KX3-NECK-MUSCLE-LEFT-TRANSFER

ICD-10-PCS Code For Neck Muscle, Left: Procedure Code Group Overview

0KX5-RIGHT-SHOULDER-MOVING-SHOULDER-MUSCLE-TRANSFER

ICD-10-PCS Code For Shoulder Muscle, Right: Procedure Code Group Overview

0KX6-LEFT-SHOULDER-MUSCLE-TRANSFER

ICD-10-PCS Code For Left Shoulder Muscle: Procedure Code Group Overview

0KX7-UPPER-ARM-MUSCLE-TRANSFER

ICD-10-PCS Code For Upper Arm Muscle Right: Procedure Code Group Overview

0KX8-UPPER-ARM-MUSCLE-LEFT-TRANSFER

ICD-10-PCS Code For Upper Arm Muscle Left: Procedure Code Group Overview

0KX9-LOWER-ARM-AND-WRIST-TRANSFER

ICD-10-PCS Code For Lower Arm And Wrist Muscle: Procedure Code Group Overview

0KXB-LEFT-LOWER-ARM-TRANSFER

ICD-10-PCS Code For Lower Arm And Wrist Muscle Left: Procedure Code Group Overview

Showing 1–10 of 27

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

ICD-10-PCS Code For Tongue Palate Pharynx Muscle: Procedure Code Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Tongue Palate Pharynx Muscle: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Tongue, Palate, Pharynx Muscle Transfer Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

ICD-10-PCS Code For Tongue Palate Pharynx Muscle: Procedure Code Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Tongue Palate Pharynx Muscle: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Tongue, Palate, Pharynx Muscle Transfer Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

DRG Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which procedures are included in the ICD-10-PCS 0KX4 code group?

What are the key ICD-10-PCS attributes for the Tongue, Palate, Pharynx Muscle transfer group?

How does accurate coding in the 0KX4 group affect inpatient reimbursement?

Which approaches and tissue inclusion options are represented in the 0KX4 codes?

What related DRG groups might cases coded to 0KX4 map to?

References

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

DRG Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which procedures are included in the ICD-10-PCS 0KX4 code group?

What are the key ICD-10-PCS attributes for the Tongue, Palate, Pharynx Muscle transfer group?

How does accurate coding in the 0KX4 group affect inpatient reimbursement?

Which approaches and tissue inclusion options are represented in the 0KX4 codes?

What related DRG groups might cases coded to 0KX4 map to?

References