Loading...

    Explore
    • Policy Monitoring
    • Live Policy Feed
    • Billing Codes
    • Healthcare Providers
    • Health Insurance Payers
    • States
    • Service Lines
    • Taxonomy Codes
    Lookup tools
    • Billing Code Lookup
    • CPT Modifier Lookup
    • Provider Taxonomy Code Lookup
    • Healthcare Provider & Facility Lookup
    • Health Insurance Payer Lookup
    • Payer Contact Directory

    Policy & Benchmark Tools

    • Prior Authorization Lookup
    • Coverage Criteria Lookup
    • Timely Filing Lookup
    • Billing Code Reimbursement Rates
    • Payer Comparison Dashboard
    • Facility Comparison Dashboard
    • All tools

    Company

    • About OpenPayer
    • Data Sources
    • Trek Health
    OpenPayerby Trek Health
    LinkedInYouTube

    © 2026 Trek Health. All rights reserved.

    OpenPayer is built and maintained by Trek Health.

    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesRepair Procedures on the LipsCPT cpt-40652-lip-laceration-full-thickness-closure-up-to-half-height
    Ask Trek AI about this page

    CPT 40652: Lip Full‑Thickness Tear Closure (≤ half vertical height)

    Medicare pays $592 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 40652 describes closure of a full–thickness tear of the lip up to one-half of the vertical height using sutures; this procedure is a soft‑tissue repair typically performed in ambulatory surgical centers, emergency departments, or outpatient procedure rooms for traumatic or surgically created lip wounds and is categorized as a minor surgical repair of the lip.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Destruction of Pre-Malignant Skin Lesions, Onychomycosis diagnostic testing and coverage, Treatment of Capillary Malformations (Port Wine Stains).

    Customize your policy alerts

    Sign up for cpt 40652 policy alerts

    Get alerted when payer policies referencing 40652 are released or updated.

    Monitor payer policy activity

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

    Table of contents

    Progress1 / 6

    Explore openpayer tools

    • Billing CodesCPT, HCPCS, DRG & more
    • Reimbursement RatesCommercial vs. Medicare rate reports
    • Facility ComparisonBeds, revenue & payer mix
    • ProvidersHospitals & facilities
    • PayersPlans & market footprint
    • Taxonomy CodesNUCC specialty codes
    • ModifiersCPT modifiers & usage
    • Prior AuthorizationPA policies by payer & drug
    • Timely FilingFiling deadlines by payer
    • Coverage CriteriaMedical necessity by payer
    • Payer ContactsClaims, PA & appeals contacts
    View all tools

    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 28-year-old patient presents to the emergency department after sustaining a facial laceration from a bicycle accident. Examination reveals a full-thickness vertical tear of the vermilion border of the lower lip measuring approximately 8 mm (up to half the vertical height of the lip). The wound involves mucosa, muscle, and skin with some irregularity of the vermilion border but without significant avulsion of tissue. The patient is otherwise healthy, tetanus status up to date, and has no active bleeding disorders.

    The clinical workflow includes triage evaluation, cleansing and local anesthetic infiltration (or procedural sedation if required), assessment and irrigation of the wound, precise realignment of the vermilion border, layered closure with absorbable sutures for the mucosa and muscle and nonabsorbable or fine monofilament sutures for the skin/lip margin, hemostasis, and application of topical antibiotic ointment and dressings. The procedure is documented as repair of a full-thickness lip laceration up to half the vertical height using technique, suture sizes, and number of layers. Postprocedure instructions include wound care, signs of infection, and timeline for suture removal and follow-up for cosmetic assessment.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    12032Repair, intermediate, wounds of scalp, axillae, trunk and/or extremities (including hands and feet); 2.6 cm to 7.5 cmMay be used when an intermediate layered repair is required for similar-sized lacerations on non-facial sites; similar coding logic for layered closure
    12034Repair, intermediate, wounds of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips; 2.6 cm to 7.5 cmAlternative for intermediate facial repairs when provider documents intermediate complexity and tissue layers involved; selection depends on payer guidance and exact tissue involvement
    12020Repair, simple, wounds of scalp, neck, axillae, external genitalia, trunk and/or extremities; 2.6 cm to 7.5 cmFor simple repairs of superficial lip lacerations not involving full-thickness tissue
    13132Repair, complex, forehead, cheeks, chin, mouth, neck, axillae, genitalia, hands and/or feet; 2.6 cm to 7.5 cmUsed when complex layered repair, tissue loss requiring undermining, or cosmetic repair beyond standard closure is documented; may be more appropriate for complex lip repairs with significant tissue loss
    12055Repair, intermediate, wounds of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips; 7.6 cm to 12.5 cmFor larger lip lacerations exceeding the length ranges of smaller codes when intermediate technique is used
    15740Grafts; full-thickness skin graft, face, scalp, neck, hands, or genitalia; up to 25 sq cmPerformed when primary closure is not possible and a full-thickness graft is required for lip reconstruction

    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…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    26Modifier 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…
    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…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207Q00000X
    208D00000X
    207L00000X
    208000000X
    207X00000X
    364SE1400X
    207RI0200X
    163WM0102X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Dermatology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Destruction of Pre-Malignant Skin LesionsAnthem2026-10-01
    Onychomycosis diagnostic testing and coverageOscar Health2026-10-01
    Treatment of Capillary Malformations (Port Wine Stains)universityofutahhealthplans2026-09-28
    AnzupgoCigna2026-09-15
    Zevaskyn Coverage for Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis BullosaCigna2026-09-01
    Topical Acne-Non-Retinoid ProductsCigna2026-08-15
    Dermatology - Vtama Drug Quantity Management Policy - Per DaysCigna2026-08-15
    Medical Necessity Guidelines: Acne and Rosacea Medicationsharvard pilgrim health care2026-08-11
    Dermatology - Anzupgo Prior Authorization PolicyCigna2026-08-05
    Light Therapy for Dermatologic Conditionsbcbsvermont2026-08-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-40650-LIP-VERMILION-FULL-THICKNESS-REPAIR

    CPT 40650: Repair of Full-Thickness Vermilion (Lip) Tear

    CPT-40654-LIP-FULL-THICKNESS-TEAR-CLOSURE

    CPT 40654: Closure of Full-Thickness Lip Tear (>50% Vertical Height)

    CPT-40700-UNILATERAL-CLEFT-LIP-REPAIR-NASAL-DEFORMITY

    CPT 40700: Repair of Unilateral Cleft Lip

    CPT-40701-CLEFT-LIP-AND-NASAL-DEFORMITY-REPAIR-BILATERAL

    CPT 40701: Cleft Lip and Nasal Deformity Repair, Bilateral

    CPT-40702-BILATERAL-CLEFT-LIP-NASAL-REPAIR-TWO-STAGE

    CPT 40702: Bilateral Cleft Lip Repair, One Stage

    CPT-40720-SECONDARY-CLEFT-LIP-NASAL-REPAIR

    CPT 40720: Secondary Repair of Cleft Lip and Nasal Deformity

    CPT-40761-ABBE-ESTLANDER-PEDICLE-FLAP-REPAIR-CLEFT-LIP-NASAL-DEFORMITY

    CPT 40761: Abbe-Estlander Pedicle Flap for Cleft Lip Repair

    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.
    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.