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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesRepair, Revision, and/or Reconstruction Procedures on the Neck (Soft Tissues) and ThoraxCPT cpt-21740-chest-wall-reconstruction-pectus-deformity-repair
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    CPT 21740: Chest Wall Reconstruction for Congenital Deformity

    Medicare pays $998 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 21740 describes surgical reconstruction of the chest wall to correct congenital deformities such as pectus excavatum (sunken chest) or pectus carinatum (protruding sternum); the service is a chest wall reconstructive procedure typically performed in an inpatient or outpatient surgical setting, including operating room–based thoracic or pediatric surgery services.

    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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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 16-year-old male with symptomatic pectus excavatum presents to a thoracic surgery clinic for evaluation. He reports exertional dyspnea and decreased exercise tolerance; physical exam demonstrates a sunken anterior chest with sternal depression. Imaging includes chest radiograph and CT chest confirming significant sternal depression and cardiopulmonary compression. Pulmonary function testing shows a mild restrictive pattern. After preoperative evaluation and counseling, the patient is scheduled for surgical chest wall reconstruction to repair the congenital deformity.

    The clinical workflow includes: preoperative assessment by the thoracic surgery team and anesthesia, imaging review, informed consent, operative planning (possible use of prosthetic bars or cartilage reshaping), the reconstructive procedure in the operating room with general anesthesia, intraoperative monitoring, postoperative chest radiograph, pain control, inpatient recovery with pulmonary toileting and physical therapy, and outpatient follow-up for wound check and functional assessment. Documentation includes indication, operative report with technique and materials, estimated blood loss, implants used, and follow-up plan for functional outcomes and potential hardware removal if applicable.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    19318Reduction mammaplastyMay be performed concomitantly for chest wall symmetry or access in some patients.
    21745Resection of rib(s) or cartilage, without prosthetic reconstructionAlternative or adjunct when cartilage resection is required without full reconstruction.
    21930Excision of chest wall tumor, partial rib resectionPerformed when chest wall deformity is associated with pathology requiring resection.
    31899Unlisted procedure, thoracicUsed for thoracic procedures not described by other CPT codes when unique techniques are performed.
    19350Nipple/areola reconstructionPerformed by plastic surgery when aesthetic chest reconstruction includes breast/nipple reconstruction in select patients.

    Related Modifiers

    12 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…
    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…
    66Modifier 66 (Surgical Team) is used when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons on a single, highly complex procedure. The AMA defines it for use when a surgical team — often composed of…- Use modifier 66 when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons working collaboratively as a surgical team on a single, highly complex or difficult procedure (for example organ…
    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…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
    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…
    81Modifier -81 indicates a physician served as a minimal assistant surgeon for part—not all—of an operative procedure. Use when a physician’s assisting role is limited and does not represent full…- Use CPT modifier -81 when a physician acts as a minimum assistant surgeon who assists during only part (a limited portion) of an operative procedure; append -81 to the primary surgical CPT code to…
    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…

    Showing 1–10 of 12

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    208U00000X
    2080P0202X
    207P00000X
    2084P0800X
    225XF0002X
    103TP2701X
    2085D0003X
    2251E1200X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: General Surgery1 / 3

    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-21685-HYOID-SUSPENSION-FOR-AIRWAY-MANAGEMENT

    CPT 21685: Hyoid Suspension for Airway Support

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

    CPT 21700: Scalenus Anticus Muscle Division, Neck Surgery

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

    CPT 21705: Scalenus Anticus Division with Cervical Rib Removal

    CPT-21720-STERNOCLEIDOMASTOID-MUSCLE-RELEASE-TORTICOLLIS

    CPT 21720: Sternocleidomastoid Muscle Division for Torticollis

    CPT-21725-STERNOCLEIDOMASTOID-RELEASE-FOR-TORTICOLLIS

    CPT 21725: Sternocleidomastoid Division for Torticollis

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

    CPT 21742: Minimally Invasive Chest Wall Reconstruction

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

    CPT 21743: Thoracoscopic Chest Wall Reconstruction

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

    CPT 21750: Closure of Sternal Separation

    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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