CPT code 42415 denotes surgical excision of the lateral lobe of a parotid tumor or the parotid gland with dissection and preservation of the facial nerve. This procedure is clinically significant because it balances definitive tumor removal with functional preservation of facial nerve function, affecting patient outcomes, perioperative planning, and post-operative care across the country. The code is commonly used for benign and malignant parotid neoplasms where nerve-sparing approaches are feasible.

Key payers referenced in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of typical settings and clinical context, billing and coding considerations tied to parotidectomy procedures, common modifiers used with operative billing, and comparative benchmarks where available. The report summarizes reimbursement patterns, utilization trends, and policy updates affecting surgical head and neck services, and highlights documentation expectations tied to nerve dissection and gland excision.

This publication is intended for billing professionals, surgical teams, and policy analysts seeking a concise reference on coding and payer considerations for parotid gland excision with facial nerve preservation. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.