CPT code 21246 represents major reconstructive surgery of the entire maxilla or mandible with application of a metal plate to restore form and function of the upper or lower jaw. Nationally, this procedure is clinically significant because it addresses severe jaw defects from trauma, tumor resection, congenital deformity, or infection that disrupt mastication, articulation, and facial structure. Accurate coding supports surgical care coordination and appropriate facility and surgeon reimbursement for high-complexity procedures.

Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the clinical context for 21246, typical settings of care, common modifiers and operational considerations, and where available, payer coverage patterns and administrative notes. The publication also outlines benchmarking elements relevant to hospital and surgical practice administrators, highlights documentation elements that support medical necessity, and summarizes coding relationships to related reconstructive procedures. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable. This national-level summary is intended to inform coding, billing, and clinical documentation practices for complex maxillofacial reconstruction.