Find policies, billing codes, payers, states, and providers

CPT 41010: Incision of Lingual Frenum for Tongue-Tie Release

CPT code 41010 represents a minor surgical procedure: incision of the lingual frenum to improve tongue mobility in patients with ankyloglossia. Nationally, this code is used across pediatric, otolaryngology, oral surgery and dental care settings to address functional limitations related to tongue-tie, including feeding and speech concerns. The procedure is typically performed in outpatient clinics, physician offices, or ambulatory surgical centers.

Key payers commonly involved in coverage decisions include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find clinical context for when the procedure is billed, typical sites of service, and an overview of payer coverage landscapes. The publication highlights benchmarks and payment policy considerations relevant to this minor oral surgical service, summarizes common billing practices, and outlines documentation elements and coding context important for claims processing. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.

Customize your policy alerts

Sign up for cpt 41010 policy alerts

Get alerted when payer policies referencing 41010 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 41010 describes an incision of the lingual frenum (frenulotomy or frenotomy) performed to increase tongue mobility in patients with ankyloglossia (tongue-tie). The procedure involves a small surgical incision of the membranous ridge beneath the tongue.

Service type: Minor surgical procedure (oral soft-tissue incision/release)
Typical site of service: Outpatient clinic, physician office, or ambulatory surgical center; often performed in oral surgery, otolaryngology, pediatric, or dental settings depending on provider specialty.

Find policies, billing codes, payers, states, and providers

CPT 41010: Incision of Lingual Frenum for Tongue-Tie Release

Customize your policy alerts

Sign up for cpt 41010 policy alerts

Get alerted when payer policies referencing 41010 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: Minor surgical procedure (oral soft-tissue incision/release)
Typical site of service: Outpatient clinic, physician office, or ambulatory surgical center; often performed in oral surgery, otolaryngology, pediatric, or dental settings depending on provider specialty.

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.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`25`	Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician on the same day as the procedure	Use when a distinct E/M visit is performed on the same day as `41010` and is well documented.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use when another procedure on a separate anatomical site or distinct service is performed same day and documentation supports separate procedures.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the procedure is partially reduced or not completed as planned and documentation supports reduction.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use if the procedure was started but terminated due to patient condition or unforeseen circumstances.
`76`	Repeat procedure by same physician	Use when the same physician repeats the frenotomy during the postoperative period.
`77`	Repeat procedure by another physician	Use when a different physician performs a repeat frenotomy during the postoperative period.
`24`	Unrelated E/M service by the same physician during a postoperative period	Use when an unrelated E/M encounter occurs during the global period for `41010` and is documented as unrelated.
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use if the procedure required substantially greater resources or time than typical and documentation supports the increased complexity.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the frenotomy is intentionally partially performed resulting in reduced service; documentation must explain.
`57`	Decision for surgery	Use on the E/M preceding the surgery when that E/M resulted in the decision to perform the procedure and occurred within the global period rules.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`207Q00000X`	Otolaryngology	ENTs commonly perform lingual frenotomy in older infants, children, and adults.
`122300000X`	Pediatric Dentistry	Pediatric dentists perform frenectomies especially when dental or orthodontic concerns coexist.
`2080P0002X`	Pediatric Medicine	Pediatricians may perform office frenotomies in select infants or refer for specialty care.
`207L00000X`	Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery	OMS may perform frenectomy when complex anatomy or surgical expertise is required.
`208000000X`	Family Medicine	Family physicians occasionally perform simple frenotomies in office settings.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`Q38.1`	Ankyloglossia (tongue-tie)	Primary indication for `41010`; short or tight lingual frenulum restricting tongue movement.
`P92.5`	Difficulty in feeding at breast	Common presenting problem in infants with ankyloglossia leading to consideration of frenotomy.
`R63.3`	Feeding difficulties and mismanagement	Used when feeding dysfunction related to tongue restriction impacts growth or feeding behavior.
`R47.9`	Speech and language disturbance, unspecified	Used when older children present with speech articulation issues attributable to restricted tongue mobility.
`K08.8`	Other specified disorders of teeth and supporting structures	Used when dental or orthodontic issues related to frenulum contribute to indication for frenectomy.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`40820`	Excision of lingual frenulum (frenectomy)	Alternative or related surgical approach; may be reported when excision rather than simple release is performed.
`99212`	Office or other outpatient visit for established patient, low complexity	Represents typical pre- or post-operative E/M visits associated with `41010` when performed in office.
`99174`	Evaluation 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).
`99151`	Moderate sedation when performed by the physician performing the procedure	May be reported when moderate sedation is provided by the same physician for a patient undergoing `41010` if payer rules permit.
`99152`	Moderate sedation when performed by a different provider	May be reported when a separate clinician provides moderate sedation for the procedure.

CPT 41000: Intraoral Incision and Drainage of Tongue

CPT-41005-SUBLINGUAL-INTRAORAL-INCISION-DRAINAGE

CPT 41005: Sublingual Intraoral Incision and Drainage

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

CPT 41006: Sublingual Intraoral Incision and Drainage

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

CPT 41007: Intraoral Submental Drainage of Abscess, Cyst, or Hematoma

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 Abscess

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

CPT 41015: External Incision and Drainage of Sublingual Space

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

CPT 41016: External Incision and Drainage of Submental Space

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

CPT 41017: External Submandibular Space Drainage

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

CPT 41018: Extraoral Incision & Drainage of Masticator Space

Showing 1–10 of 11

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.

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.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`25`	Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician on the same day as the procedure	Use when a distinct E/M visit is performed on the same day as `41010` and is well documented.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use when another procedure on a separate anatomical site or distinct service is performed same day and documentation supports separate procedures.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the procedure is partially reduced or not completed as planned and documentation supports reduction.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use if the procedure was started but terminated due to patient condition or unforeseen circumstances.
`76`	Repeat procedure by same physician	Use when the same physician repeats the frenotomy during the postoperative period.
`77`	Repeat procedure by another physician	Use when a different physician performs a repeat frenotomy during the postoperative period.
`24`	Unrelated E/M service by the same physician during a postoperative period	Use when an unrelated E/M encounter occurs during the global period for `41010` and is documented as unrelated.
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use if the procedure required substantially greater resources or time than typical and documentation supports the increased complexity.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the frenotomy is intentionally partially performed resulting in reduced service; documentation must explain.
`57`	Decision for surgery	Use on the E/M preceding the surgery when that E/M resulted in the decision to perform the procedure and occurred within the global period rules.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`207Q00000X`	Otolaryngology	ENTs commonly perform lingual frenotomy in older infants, children, and adults.
`122300000X`	Pediatric Dentistry	Pediatric dentists perform frenectomies especially when dental or orthodontic concerns coexist.
`2080P0002X`	Pediatric Medicine	Pediatricians may perform office frenotomies in select infants or refer for specialty care.
`207L00000X`	Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery	OMS may perform frenectomy when complex anatomy or surgical expertise is required.
`208000000X`	Family Medicine	Family physicians occasionally perform simple frenotomies in office settings.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`Q38.1`	Ankyloglossia (tongue-tie)	Primary indication for `41010`; short or tight lingual frenulum restricting tongue movement.
`P92.5`	Difficulty in feeding at breast	Common presenting problem in infants with ankyloglossia leading to consideration of frenotomy.
`R63.3`	Feeding difficulties and mismanagement	Used when feeding dysfunction related to tongue restriction impacts growth or feeding behavior.
`R47.9`	Speech and language disturbance, unspecified	Used when older children present with speech articulation issues attributable to restricted tongue mobility.
`K08.8`	Other specified disorders of teeth and supporting structures	Used when dental or orthodontic issues related to frenulum contribute to indication for frenectomy.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`40820`	Excision of lingual frenulum (frenectomy)	Alternative or related surgical approach; may be reported when excision rather than simple release is performed.
`99212`	Office or other outpatient visit for established patient, low complexity	Represents typical pre- or post-operative E/M visits associated with `41010` when performed in office.
`99174`	Evaluation 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).
`99151`	Moderate sedation when performed by the physician performing the procedure	May be reported when moderate sedation is provided by the same physician for a patient undergoing `41010` if payer rules permit.
`99152`	Moderate sedation when performed by a different provider	May be reported when a separate clinician provides moderate sedation for the procedure.

CPT 41000: Intraoral Incision and Drainage of Tongue

CPT-41005-SUBLINGUAL-INTRAORAL-INCISION-DRAINAGE

CPT 41005: Sublingual Intraoral Incision and Drainage

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

CPT 41006: Sublingual Intraoral Incision and Drainage

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

CPT 41007: Intraoral Submental Drainage of Abscess, Cyst, or Hematoma

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 Abscess

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

CPT 41015: External Incision and Drainage of Sublingual Space

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

CPT 41016: External Incision and Drainage of Submental Space

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

CPT 41017: External Submandibular Space Drainage

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

CPT 41018: Extraoral Incision & Drainage of Masticator Space

Showing 1–10 of 11

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.

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 41010: Incision of Lingual Frenum for Tongue-Tie Release

Sign up for cpt 41010 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

Catch payer policy changes before they impact reimbursement

Catch payer policy changes before they impact reimbursement

OpenPayer

CPT 41010: Incision of Lingual Frenum for Tongue-Tie Release

Sign up for cpt 41010 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References

CPT 41010: Incision of Lingual Frenum for Tongue-Tie Release

Sign up for cpt 41010 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

CPT 41010: Incision of Lingual Frenum for Tongue-Tie Release

Sign up for cpt 41010 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

What does CPT 41010 represent and where is it typically performed?

Which modifiers are commonly used with 41010 and when should they be applied?

Which other CPT codes are commonly billed with 41010?

What diagnosis codes typically support billing for 41010?

What clinical workflow and perioperative considerations are described for patients undergoing 41010?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

What does CPT 41010 represent and where is it typically performed?

Which modifiers are commonly used with 41010 and when should they be applied?

Which other CPT codes are commonly billed with 41010?

What diagnosis codes typically support billing for 41010?

What clinical workflow and perioperative considerations are described for patients undergoing 41010?

References