CPT 21720: Sternocleidomastoid Muscle Release for Torticollis

CPT code 21720 denotes surgical division of the sternocleidomastoid muscle for treatment of torticollis without application of a cast. This procedure is used to correct abnormal head tilt and neck muscle contracture that can impair function and quality of life. Nationally, the code matters for surgical specialties managing congenital or acquired torticollis and for payers assessing coverage and utilization of targeted neck procedures.

Key payers in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context, typical settings of care, and the service type associated with the code. The publication also presents benchmarking and reimbursement context where available, highlights relevant policy considerations affecting payment and prior authorization, and outlines coding and billing considerations that affect claims processing.

The report is intended to inform care administrators, billing professionals, and policy stakeholders about the clinical purpose of 21720, common sites of service, and the payer landscape relevant to this procedure. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.

Customize your policy alerts

Sign up for cpt 21720 policy alerts

Get alerted when payer policies referencing 21720 are released or updated.

Monitor payer policy activity

Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 21720 describes a surgical procedure in which the provider divides the sternocleidomastoid muscle to treat torticollis, a condition characterized by a tilted or rotated head due to neck muscle spasm or contracture. The description specifies that no cast is applied.

Service type: Surgical release of the sternocleidomastoid muscle for torticollis
Typical site of service: Operating room or ambulatory surgical center, commonly performed in an inpatient or outpatient surgical setting depending on patient factors and facility practices

Explore openpayer tools

View all tools

CPT 21720: Sternocleidomastoid Muscle Release for Torticollis

Customize your policy alerts

Sign up for cpt 21720 policy alerts

Get alerted when payer policies referencing 21720 are released or updated.

Monitor payer policy activity

Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

Billing Code Overview

Service type: Surgical release of the sternocleidomastoid muscle for torticollis
Typical site of service: Operating room or ambulatory surgical center, commonly performed in an inpatient or outpatient surgical setting depending on patient factors and facility practices

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 6-year-old child presents to a pediatric otolaryngology clinic with persistent congenital muscular torticollis characterized by a fixed head tilt to the right, limited left neck rotation, and palpable tightness of the right sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle despite months of conservative therapy (physical therapy, stretching, and botulinum toxin where applicable). After multidisciplinary evaluation including physical exam and review of prior conservative management, the surgical plan is a selective open division (tenotomy or Z-plasty release) of the SCM to correct head posture and improve range of motion. The procedure is performed in an ambulatory surgery center under general anesthesia. The surgeon isolates and divides the affected SCM muscle without applying a postoperative cast. Intraoperative tasks include exposure of the SCM, division of the muscle (and possible fascial rearrangement), hemostasis, and layered wound closure; a small dressing is applied and the patient is observed in PACU for recovery and pain control before same-day discharge with instructions for postoperative physical therapy and wound care. Typical payors involved include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, BUCA, and Medicare depending on patient age and coverage type.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`23420`	Release of congenital muscular torticollis (additional/revision)	May be used for procedural variants or additional muscle release techniques in older children or revisions following prior procedures.
`20610`	Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection; major joint or bursa (e.g., shoulder)	Not directly related but sometimes performed by specialists for concurrent pain management; listed as an ancillary service when indicated.
`66999`	Unlisted procedure, anterior segment of the eye	Data not applicable — (If specific undocumented adjunctive procedures are performed during the same operative session, an unlisted code may be reported; include operative report for justification).
`11730`	Avulsion of nail plate, partial or complete, single	Not clinically related; Data not available in the input.
`12001`	Simple repair of superficial wounds (small)	May be reported for additional small wound repairs incidental to the primary SCM division if not included in `21720`.

Note: Specific related CPT codes and combinations depend on intraoperative findings and concurrent procedures. If additional or unlisted procedures are performed, operative documentation must support coding and modifier selection.

Related Modifiers

13 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
22	Modifier –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…
24	Modifier 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…
26	Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…	- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
50	Modifier –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…
51	Modifier –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…
52	Modifier ‑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…
53	Modifier 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…
62	Modifier 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…
63	Modifier‑63 is appended to surgical CPT codes (20000–69990) when a procedure is performed on a neonate or infant weighing ≤ 4 kg (about 8.8 lbs). The AMA/AAPC definition specifies this use and notes…	- Use modifier -63 only for surgical procedures in the CPT 20000–69990 series performed on a neonate or infant who weighs ≤ 4 kg at the time of the procedure; it indicates increased complexity due to…
78	CPT 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…

Showing 1–10 of 13

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207P00000X	Emergency Medicine Physician	An emergency physician focuses on the immediate decision making and action necessary to prevent death or any further disability both in the pre-hospit…
207L00000X	Anesthesiology Physician	An anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
208800000X	Urology Physician	A urologist manages benign and malignant medical and surgical disorders of the genitourinary system and the adrenal gland. This specialist has compreh…
207K00000X	Allergy & Immunology Physician	An allergist-immunologist is trained in evaluation, physical and laboratory diagnosis, and management of disorders involving the immune system. Select…
207RG0100X	Gastroenterology Physician	An internist who specializes in diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive organs including the stomach, bowels, liver and gallbladder. This…
183700000X	Pharmacy Technician	A person who works under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist and performs many pharmacy-related functions that do not require the professi…
207RC0000X	Cardiovascular Disease Physician	An internist who specializes in diseases of the heart and blood vessels and manages complex cardiac conditions such as heart attacks and life-threaten…
246XC2903X	Vascular Specialist/Technologist Cardiovascular	A vascular technologist, also known as a vascular sonographer, creates images of blood vessels and collects data that help physicians diagnose disorde…

CPT 21685: Hyoid Suspension for Airway Management

CPT-21700-SCALENUS-ANTICUS-MUSCLE-DIVISION-NECK-RELEASE

CPT 21700: Scalenus Anticus Muscle Division for Neck Nerve Compression

CPT-21705-SCALENUS-ANTICUS-MUSCLE-DIVISION-CERVICAL-RIB-REMOVAL

CPT 21705: Scalenus Anticus Muscle Division with Cervical Rib Removal

CPT-21725-STERNOCLEIDOMASTOID-RELEASE-FOR-TORTICOLLIS

CPT 21725: Sternocleidomastoid Release for Torticollis

CPT-21740-CHEST-WALL-RECONSTRUCTION-PECTUS-DEFORMITY-REPAIR

CPT 21740: Chest Wall Reconstruction for Pectus Deformity Repair

CPT-21742-MINIMALLY-INVASIVE-CHEST-WALL-RECONSTRUCTION-PECTUS

CPT 21742: Minimally Invasive Chest Wall Reconstruction for Pectus Deformities

CPT-21743-THORACOSCOPIC-CHEST-WALL-RECONSTRUCTION-PECTUS-REPAIR

CPT 21743: Thoracoscopic Chest Wall Reconstruction for Pectus Deformity

CPT-21750-STERNAL-SEPARATION-CLOSURE-STERNAL-REPAIR

CPT 21750: Closure of Sternal Separation

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.

Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.

Explore openpayer tools

View all tools

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`23420`	Release of congenital muscular torticollis (additional/revision)	May be used for procedural variants or additional muscle release techniques in older children or revisions following prior procedures.
`20610`	Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection; major joint or bursa (e.g., shoulder)	Not directly related but sometimes performed by specialists for concurrent pain management; listed as an ancillary service when indicated.
`66999`	Unlisted procedure, anterior segment of the eye	Data not applicable — (If specific undocumented adjunctive procedures are performed during the same operative session, an unlisted code may be reported; include operative report for justification).
`11730`	Avulsion of nail plate, partial or complete, single	Not clinically related; Data not available in the input.
`12001`	Simple repair of superficial wounds (small)	May be reported for additional small wound repairs incidental to the primary SCM division if not included in `21720`.

Related Modifiers

13 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
22	Modifier –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…
24	Modifier 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…
26	Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…	- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
50	Modifier –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…
51	Modifier –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…
52	Modifier ‑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…
53	Modifier 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…
62	Modifier 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…
63	Modifier‑63 is appended to surgical CPT codes (20000–69990) when a procedure is performed on a neonate or infant weighing ≤ 4 kg (about 8.8 lbs). The AMA/AAPC definition specifies this use and notes…	- Use modifier -63 only for surgical procedures in the CPT 20000–69990 series performed on a neonate or infant who weighs ≤ 4 kg at the time of the procedure; it indicates increased complexity due to…
78	CPT 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…

Showing 1–10 of 13

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207P00000X	Emergency Medicine Physician	An emergency physician focuses on the immediate decision making and action necessary to prevent death or any further disability both in the pre-hospit…
207L00000X	Anesthesiology Physician	An anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
208800000X	Urology Physician	A urologist manages benign and malignant medical and surgical disorders of the genitourinary system and the adrenal gland. This specialist has compreh…
207K00000X	Allergy & Immunology Physician	An allergist-immunologist is trained in evaluation, physical and laboratory diagnosis, and management of disorders involving the immune system. Select…
207RG0100X	Gastroenterology Physician	An internist who specializes in diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive organs including the stomach, bowels, liver and gallbladder. This…
183700000X	Pharmacy Technician	A person who works under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist and performs many pharmacy-related functions that do not require the professi…
207RC0000X	Cardiovascular Disease Physician	An internist who specializes in diseases of the heart and blood vessels and manages complex cardiac conditions such as heart attacks and life-threaten…
246XC2903X	Vascular Specialist/Technologist Cardiovascular	A vascular technologist, also known as a vascular sonographer, creates images of blood vessels and collects data that help physicians diagnose disorde…

CPT 21685: Hyoid Suspension for Airway Management

CPT-21700-SCALENUS-ANTICUS-MUSCLE-DIVISION-NECK-RELEASE

CPT 21700: Scalenus Anticus Muscle Division for Neck Nerve Compression

CPT-21705-SCALENUS-ANTICUS-MUSCLE-DIVISION-CERVICAL-RIB-REMOVAL

CPT 21705: Scalenus Anticus Muscle Division with Cervical Rib Removal

CPT-21725-STERNOCLEIDOMASTOID-RELEASE-FOR-TORTICOLLIS

CPT 21725: Sternocleidomastoid Release for Torticollis

CPT-21740-CHEST-WALL-RECONSTRUCTION-PECTUS-DEFORMITY-REPAIR

CPT 21740: Chest Wall Reconstruction for Pectus Deformity Repair

CPT-21742-MINIMALLY-INVASIVE-CHEST-WALL-RECONSTRUCTION-PECTUS

CPT 21742: Minimally Invasive Chest Wall Reconstruction for Pectus Deformities

CPT-21743-THORACOSCOPIC-CHEST-WALL-RECONSTRUCTION-PECTUS-REPAIR

CPT 21743: Thoracoscopic Chest Wall Reconstruction for Pectus Deformity

CPT-21750-STERNAL-SEPARATION-CLOSURE-STERNAL-REPAIR

CPT 21750: Closure of Sternal Separation

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.

OpenPayer

CPT 21720: Sternocleidomastoid Muscle Release for Torticollis

Sign up for cpt 21720 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

OpenPayer

CPT 21720: Sternocleidomastoid Muscle Release for Torticollis

Sign up for cpt 21720 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Codes

References