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    OpenPayerBilling CodesIncision Procedures on the Tongue and Floor of MouthCPT cpt-41010-lingual-frenum-incision-tongue-tie-release
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    CPT 41010: Lingual Frenotomy (Release of Tongue-Tie)

    Medicare pays $219 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 41010 describes a lingual frenum incision (frenotomy) to release ankyloglossia and improve tongue mobility; this minor surgical procedure is typically performed as an outpatient surgical or office-based procedure in an ambulatory clinic or minor operating room under local or topical anesthesia and involves incision of the membranous ridge beneath the tongue to allow greater range of motion.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Orthopedic Joint Procedures of the Knee for Managed Medicaid (MMC), Health and Recovery Plan (HARP), Child Health Plus (CHP), and Essential Plan (EP) Members, Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation or Implantation Corporate Medical Policy, Autologous Platelet-Derived Growth Factors (Platelet-Rich Plasma [PRP]).

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is an infant or young child brought to a pediatric otolaryngology or pediatric dental clinic for assessment of restricted tongue mobility (ankyloglossia) causing breastfeeding difficulty, poor latch, or speech concerns. The clinical workflow begins with history from the caregiver documenting feeding or speech issues, followed by focused oral examination revealing a short, tight lingual frenum limiting tongue elevation and protrusion. Conservative management (lactation consultation, feeding techniques, or speech therapy) is considered first for mild cases. When feeding dysfunction or speech impairment persists and clinical criteria for release are met, the provider schedules a frenotomy.

    The procedure 41010 (lingual frenectomy/frenotomy) is typically performed in an outpatient clinic, ambulatory surgical center, or office procedure room under local anesthesia for cooperative older children and adults, or during brief sedation/anxiolysis or general anesthesia for infants or uncooperative patients. Post-procedure care includes brief observation, feeding assessment in infants, pain control, wound care instructions, and referral for speech or feeding therapy if indicated.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    40820Excision of lingual frenulum (frenectomy)Alternative or related surgical approach; may be reported when excision rather than simple release is performed.
    99212Office or other outpatient visit for established patient, low complexityRepresents typical pre- or post-operative E/M visits associated with 41010 when performed in office.
    99174Evaluation of child for performing repair of tongue tie (behavioral assessment)Used when documented pre-procedure behavioral/sedation assessment for pediatric procedure is performed (note: verify payer-specific applicability).
    99151Moderate sedation when performed by the physician performing the procedureMay be reported when moderate sedation is provided by the same physician for a patient undergoing 41010 if payer rules permit.
    99152Moderate sedation when performed by a different providerMay be reported when a separate clinician provides moderate sedation for the procedure.

    Related Modifiers

    9 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    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.,…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    57CPT® modifier -57 (“Decision for Surgery”) is appended to an Evaluation and Management (E/M) service when that encounter results in the initial decision to perform a major surgery (a procedure with a…- Use modifier 57 when an E/M service provided by the same provider (or same tax ID) on the day of or the day before a major surgical procedure (90‑day global period) results in the initial decision…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207Q00000X
    122300000X
    207L00000X
    208000000X
    104100000X
    103TR0400X
    367500000X
    207QH0002X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Orthopedics/Musculoskeletal1 / 2

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Orthopedic Joint Procedures of the Knee for Managed Medicaid (MMC), Health and Recovery Plan (HARP), Child Health Plus (CHP), and Essential Plan (EP) Membersuniverahealthcare2027-01-01
    Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation or Implantation Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2026-12-01
    Autologous Platelet-Derived Growth Factors (Platelet-Rich Plasma [PRP])Cigna2026-10-15
    Metatarsophalangeal Joint ReplacementCigna2026-10-15
    Shoulder Arthroplasty (Total, Partial, Reverse, Revision and Resurfacing)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Hip Arthroplasty (partial and total hip replacement)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Artificial Lumbar Intervertebral Disc (Lumbar Total Disc Arthroplasty)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Osteochondral Grafting of the Kneeuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Lumbar Fusion (arthrodesis) with decompressionuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Metal-on-Metal Total Hip Resurfacinguniverahealthcare2026-10-15

    Related Codes

    CPT-41000-INTRAORAL-INCISION-AND-DRAINAGE-TONGUE

    CPT 41000: Intraoral Incision and Drainage of Tongue Abscess

    CPT-41005-SUBLINGUAL-INTRAORAL-INCISION-DRAINAGE

    CPT 41005: Sublingual Intraoral Incision and Drainage

    CPT-41006-SUBLINGUAL-INTRAORAL-DRAINAGE-ABSCESS-CYST-HEMATOMA

    CPT 41006: Deep Intraoral Incision and Drainage, Sublingual

    CPT-41007-SUBMENTAL-INTRAORAL-DRAINAGE-ABSCESS-CYST-HEMATOMA

    CPT 41007: Intraoral Incision and Drainage of Submental Space

    CPT-41008-SUBMANDIBULAR-INTRAORAL-INCISION-DRAINAGE

    CPT 41008: Intraoral Submandibular Incision and Drainage

    CPT-41009-INTRAORAL-DRAINAGE-MASTICATOR-SPACE

    CPT 41009: Intraoral Drainage of Masticator Space

    CPT-41015-SUBLINGUAL-SPACE-INCISION-AND-DRAINAGE

    CPT 41015: Sublingual Space Incision and Drainage

    CPT-41016-SUBMENTAL-SPACE-DRAINAGE-EXTERNAL-APPROACH

    CPT 41016: Incision and Drainage, Submental Space

    CPT-41017-SUBMANDIBULAR-SPACE-DRAINAGE-EXTERNAL-INCISION

    CPT 41017: External Incision and Drainage of Submandibular Space

    CPT-41018-EXTRAORAL-INCISION-DRAINAGE-MASTICATOR-SPACE

    CPT 41018: Extraoral Incision and Drainage of Masticator Space

    Showing 1–10 of 11

    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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