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    OpenPayerBilling CodesRepair, Revision, and/or Reconstruction Procedures on the HeadCPT cpt-21280-medial-canthoplasty-lacrimal-sac-drainage
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    CPT 21280: Medial Canthus Tightening (Canthoplasty)

    Medicare pays $540 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 21280 describes surgical tightening of the structures supporting the medial canthus (inner corner of the eyelids) performed to improve ocular appearance or to address lacrimal sac/tear drainage problems; the service is an eyelid/periocular reconstructive procedure typically provided in an ambulatory surgical center or hospital outpatient setting under operative conditions.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Corneal Remodeling for Refractive Errors and Corneal Grafting and Transplantation, Glaucoma Agents iDose TR (travoprost intracameral implant), Topical Treatments for Dry Eye Disease.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 62-year-old female presents to an oculoplastic clinic with chronic epiphora (excess tearing) and medial canthal laxity of the left eye following years of lower eyelid laxity and prior blunt trauma. Conservative management including lacrimal irrigation and topical therapy failed to resolve symptoms. The oculoplastic surgeon evaluates eyelid position, lacrimal drainage system patency, and conjunctival health. After informed consent, the surgeon performs a medial canthal tightening procedure to shorten and reinforce the medial canthal tendon and adjacent periosteal attachments to restore proper eyelid apposition and improve lacrimal sac drainage.

    Typical clinical workflow:

    • Preoperative evaluation in clinic with history, eyelid exam, dye disappearance test, and lacrimal irrigation.

    • Pre-op photos and marking of medial canthal anatomy.

    • Procedure performed in an ambulatory surgery center or hospital outpatient department under monitored anesthesia care or local anesthesia with sedation.

    • Intraoperative steps include local infiltration, incision at the medial canthal region, identification of medial canthal tendon and periosteal fixation, tightening/reefing or placement of sutures to reapproximate tendon to medial orbital rim, and closure.

    • Postoperative care includes topical antibiotics, cold compresses, follow-up within 1 week to check wound and lacrimal drainage, and suture removal as indicated.

    Typical site of service: Ambulatory Surgery Center or Hospital Outpatient Department.

    Service type: Oculoplastic surgical repair (medial canthal tendon tightening) to improve eyelid apposition and address lacrimal drainage dysfunction.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    21280Tightening of medial canthus structures (medial canthal tendon repair)Primary procedure code described.
    67900Repair of blepharoptosis; levator resectionPerformed when concomitant eyelid ptosis repair is required during oculoplastic correction.
    68360Excision of lacrimal sac (external dacryocystectomy)May be performed if lacrimal sac pathology requires excision rather than preservation.
    68510Dacryocystorhinostomy, external or endoscopic, with creation of boney ostiumPerformed when lacrimal drainage obstruction requires bypass of the nasolacrimal duct; often performed in the same patient population.
    67901Repair of medial eyelid laceration, complex

    Related Modifiers

    9 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…
    25CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207P00000X
    207T00000X
    333600000X
    1223X0008X
    207RI0001X
    1223P0106X
    363LP0222X
    251E00000X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    14 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    H02.431Paralytic ptosis of right eyelid
    H02.432Paralytic ptosis of left eyelid
    H02.433Paralytic ptosis of bilateral eyelids
    H02.439Paralytic ptosis unspecified eyelid
    H04.121Dry eye syndrome of right lacrimal gland
    H04.122Dry eye syndrome of left lacrimal gland
    H04.123Dry eye syndrome of bilateral lacrimal glands
    H04.129Dry eye syndrome of unspecified lacrimal gland
    H04.211Epiphora due to excess lacrimation, right lacrimal gland
    H04.212Epiphora due to excess lacrimation, left lacrimal gland

    Showing 1–10 of 14

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Ophthalmology/Optometry1 / 2

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Corneal Remodeling for Refractive Errors and Corneal Grafting and TransplantationHealth-New-England2027-02-01
    Glaucoma Agents iDose TR (travoprost intracameral implant)Mass General Brigham Health Plan2027-01-04
    Topical Treatments for Dry Eye Diseaseblue cross blue shield - louisiana2027-01-01
    Corneal Collagen Cross-LinkingMass General Brigham Health Plan2026-11-01
    Intraocular Lens ImplantCigna2026-11-01
    VizzCigna2026-11-01
    Travoprost Intracameral ImplantBluecross Idaho2026-11-01
    Ophthalmology - Pilocarpine 1.25%Cigna2026-10-15
    Intravitreal and PunctumBlue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island2026-10-01
    Cataract Removal Surgery for AdultsAnthem2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-21120-CHIN-IMPLANT-GENIOPLASTY-AUGMENTATION

    CPT 21120: Chin Implant for Genioplasty

    CPT-21121-GENIOPLASTY-CHIN-ADVANCEMENT

    CPT 21121: Genioplasty (Chin Advancement, Sliding Osteotomy)

    CPT-21122-GENIOPLASTY-CHIN-OSTEOTOMY-ASYMMETRY-CORRECTION

    CPT 21122: Corrective Genioplasty for Asymmetrical Chin

    CPT-21123-SLIDING-GENIOPLASTY-CHIN-AUGMENTATION-AUTOLOGOUS-BONE-GRAFT

    CPT 21123: Sliding Genioplasty with Autologous Bone Augmentation

    CPT-21125-MANDIBULAR-AUGMENTATION-WITH-IMPLANT

    CPT 21125: Mandibular Augmentation with Implant

    CPT-21127-MANDIBULAR-AUGMENTATION-BONE-GRAFTING

    CPT 21127: Mandibular Augmentation with Bone Graft

    CPT-21137-FOREHEAD-REDUCTION-FOREHEAD-CONTOURING

    CPT 21137: Forehead Reduction and Brow/Hairline Contouring

    CPT-21138-FOREHEAD-CONTOURING-AND-FOREHEAD-REDUCTION

    CPT 21138: Forehead Reduction and Brow/Hairline Contouring

    CPT-21139-FOREHEAD-CONTOURING-FRONTAL-SINUS-WALL-INCISION

    CPT 21139: Forehead Reshaping with Frontal Sinus Wall Incision

    CPT-21141-LEFORT-I-MAXILLARY-OSTEOTOMY-MIDFACE-RECONSTRUCTION

    CPT 21141: LeFort I Midface Osteotomy, Maxillary Advancement

    Showing 1–10 of 64

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 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. 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. 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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    Used for traumatic injuries to the medial canthal region that require more extensive repair.
    12032Simple repair of superficial wounds of face, ears, eyelids (2.5 cm or less)Minor soft tissue repairs or wound closures adjacent to the medial canthus performed at the time of procedure.