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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesExcision Procedures on the Neck (Soft Tissues) and ThoraxCPT cpt-21557-extensive-soft-tissue-excision-neck-anterior-thorax
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    CPT 21557: Extensive Excision of Soft Tissue Tumor, Neck/Anterior Thorax

    Medicare pays $895 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 21557 describes an extensive excision of a soft tissue tumor or mass in the neck or anterior thorax suspected to be malignant, with removal of the lesion and surrounding tissues where the greatest dimension of the tumor and margins is less than 5 cm; the service is a surgical excision typically performed in an operating room or surgical suite under appropriate anesthesia for oncologic resection.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Surgical Procedures, Outpatient Surgical Procedures - Site of Service, Site of Service Ambulatory Service Center (ASC) Select — Surgical or Diagnostic Procedures in Adults.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 58-year-old male presents with a progressively enlarging, firm mass in the left lateral neck noted over several months. Imaging (contrast CT or MRI) demonstrates a 3.8 cm enhancing soft-tissue tumor within the superficial neck soft tissues suspicious for sarcoma. Core needle biopsy is indeterminate but suspicious for malignancy. The surgical plan is an extensive excision of the mass with wide margins, including resection of adjacent subcutaneous tissue and fascia, with intraoperative specimen sent for pathology. The procedure is performed in an outpatient hospital or ambulatory surgery center under general anesthesia with local field infiltration for hemostasis. Postoperative care includes wound care, pain control, pathology review for margin status, and coordination with medical oncology and radiation oncology if final pathology confirms malignancy.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    13102Complex repair of superficial wounds of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips; 3.1 cm up to 5.0 cmMay be used if complex layered closure or significant repair is required after excision in neck/anterior thorax.
    20220Excision of tumor, soft tissue of neck or anterior thorax, malignant, less than 5 cm (note: historical)Historical or alternative coding references; 21557 describes extensive excision for suspected sarcoma of similar anatomic regions and size.
    88305Level IV pathology examination (e.g., surgical pathology)Used for microscopic examination of the excised specimen to establish diagnosis and margin status.
    76942Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement (e.g., biopsy)May be used preoperatively for image-guided core needle biopsy of the suspicious mass.
    99212Office or other outpatient visit for evaluation and management, established patientTypical preoperative or postoperative evaluation code used alongside 21557 when a distinct E/M service is documented.

    Related Modifiers

    10 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…
    24Modifier 24 denotes an unrelated evaluation and management (E/M) service performed by the same physician or qualified healthcare professional during a postoperative global period. Per CPT guidance,…- Use modifier 24 when you report an evaluation and management (E/M) service performed by the same physician or same-specialty group during a procedure’s postoperative global period that is unrelated…
    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.,…
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…
    51Modifier –51 (Multiple Procedures) is used when the same provider performs multiple procedures in the same session to identify secondary, non‑exempt procedures and indicate payment reduction logic…- Use modifier -51 when the same provider performs multiple distinct procedures during the same patient encounter: report the highest‑valued procedure first (no modifier) and append -51 to…
    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…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207L00000X
    207X00000X
    207K00000X
    261QF0400X
    209800000X
    2471N0900X
    133VN1301X
    335U00000X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: General Surgery1 / 2

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Surgical ProceduresUnitedHealthcare2026-09-01
    Outpatient Surgical Procedures - Site of ServiceUnitedHealthcare2026-09-01
    Site of Service Ambulatory Service Center (ASC) Select — Surgical or Diagnostic Procedures in AdultsPremera Bluecross2026-09-01
    Site of Service Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Select — Surgical or Diagnostic Procedures in AdultsPremera Bluecross2026-09-01
    Site of Service Ambulatory Service Center (ASC) SelectPremera Bluecross2026-09-01
    Site of Service Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Select — Site of Service for Ambulatory Surgical Procedures (ASC Select)Premera Bluecross2026-09-01
    Site of Service Ambulatory Service Center (ASC) SelectPremera Bluecross2026-09-01
    Outpatient Surgical Procedures - Site of Servicesierra health and life2026-08-01
    Medical Necessity Guidelines — Inpatient Surgical CareMass General Brigham Health Plan2026-08-01
    Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) - Site of Care PolicyKaiser Permanente2026-08-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-21550-SOFT-TISSUE-EXCISION-NECK-CHEST-DIAGNOSTIC-BIOPSY

    CPT 21550: Excision of Soft Tissue, Neck or Chest for Diagnosis

    CPT-21552-SUBCUTANEOUS-MASS-EXCISION-NECK-CHEST-3CM-OR-GREATER

    CPT 21552: Excision of Subcutaneous Mass, Neck or Chest, 3.0 cm or Greater

    CPT-21554-NECK-ANTERIOR-THORAX-DEEP-TUMOR-EXCISION-5CM-PLUS

    CPT 21554: Excision of Subfascial Tumor ≥5 cm, Neck or Anterior Thorax

    CPT-21555-SUBCUTANEOUS-MASS-EXCISION-NECK-CHEST

    CPT 21555: Excision of Subcutaneous Mass, Neck or Anterior Chest (<3 cm)

    CPT-21556-NECK-ANTERIOR-CHEST-MUSCLE-MASS-EXCISION-LESS-THAN-5CM

    CPT 21556: Excision of Intramuscular Neck/Anterior Chest Mass (<5 cm)

    CPT-21558-EXTENSIVE-EXCISION-SOFT-TISSUE-MALIGNANT-TUMOR-NECK-THORAX

    CPT 21558: Extensive Excision of Malignant Soft Tissue Tumor, Neck/Anterior Chest

    CPT-21600-PARTIAL-RIB-RESECTION

    CPT 21600: Rib Resection for Deformity or Infection

    CPT-21601-CHEST-WALL-TUMOR-EXCISION-WITH-RIB-RESECTION

    CPT 21601: Chest Wall Tumor Excision with Rib Resection

    CPT-21602-CHEST-WALL-TUMOR-RESECTION-RECONSTRUCTION-RIBS-MYOCUTANEOUS

    CPT 21602: Chest Wall Tumor Excision with Rib Reconstruction

    CPT-21603-CHEST-WALL-TUMOR-EXCISION-RECONSTRUCTION

    CPT 21603: Chest Wall Tumor Excision with Rib Reconstruction

    Showing 1–10 of 16

    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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