CPT code 42320 covers the external surgical drainage of pus from a submaxillary (submandibular) salivary gland. This procedure is performed when an abscess requires direct evacuation via an external incision and is an important element of acute head and neck surgical care. Nationally, correct coding for drainage procedures affects clinical documentation, utilization metrics, and facility billing for ambulatory surgery centers and hospital operating rooms.

Key payers addressed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of the clinical scenario that typically triggers use of this code, common sites of service, and the implications for coding and billing workflows. The publication presents benchmarks where available, summarizes relevant policy and coverage considerations, and situates the procedure within clinical context for surgeons and billing professionals.

The content is designed to help clinicians, coding specialists, and revenue cycle staff understand when to apply CPT code 42320, what documentation supports the code selection, and which settings of care are most common for the service. Data not available in the input that would normally appear in appendices (such as associated taxonomies, specific ICD-10 pairings, or detailed payer-specific fee schedules) is noted as unavailable.