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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesOther Procedures on the Salivary Gland and DuctsCPT cpt-42550-sialography-salivary-gland-imaging
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    CPT 42550: Sialography (Radiosialography)

    Medicare pays $152 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 42550 describes a sialography (radiosialography) procedure used to visualize the salivary gland ductal system using contrast imaging; the service is an diagnostic radiographic imaging study performed in an imaging suite or radiology department to evaluate ductal anatomy and obstruction or sialadenitis.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Surgical Procedures, Outpatient Surgical Procedures - Site of Service, Site of Service Ambulatory Service Center (ASC) Select — Surgical or Diagnostic Procedures in Adults.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A patient in their mid-40s presents to an otolaryngology clinic with recurrent painful swelling of the submandibular gland associated with meals and a recent episode of purulent discharge from the duct. The otolaryngologist performs a focused history and physical, documents signs of sialadenitis and a possible ductal obstruction (sialolithiasis). After conservative measures (hydration, sialogogues, antibiotics) provide incomplete resolution, the clinician orders a 42550 sialography to visualize the salivary gland ductal system and identify filling defects, strictures, or ductal discontinuity.

    The clinical workflow: the patient is scheduled in an outpatient radiology or otolaryngology procedure suite. The procedure is performed by an otolaryngologist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon with a radiology technologist and fluoroscopy capable imaging. After topical anesthetic and cannulation of the duct, contrast is gently injected while fluoroscopic images are obtained. Images are archived in the PACS system and a written radiology report documents ductal anatomy, presence/location of stones, strictures, extravasation, or sialectasia. Post-procedure instructions and follow-up for potential therapeutic interventions (endoscopic stone removal, duct dilation, or gland excision) are provided.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    70480Computed tomography, head or brain; without contrast materialMay be used to evaluate salivary gland masses or stones when cross-sectional imaging is indicated after sialography
    76098Radiologic examination, salivary ducts, including injection of contrast material when performed; initial ductAlternative code historically used for salivary duct imaging in some settings; relates directly to ductal contrast studies
    42415Excision of submandibular glandSurgical treatment option following diagnostic sialography if gland excision is indicated
    42420Excision of sublingual glandSurgical option for sublingual gland pathology identified on sialography
    41899Unlisted procedure, dentoalveolar structuresMay be used for minor ductal interventions or novel endoscopic duct procedures not otherwise specified

    Related Modifiers

    11 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    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…
    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…
    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…
    73Modifier 73 indicates a facility-level outpatient hospital or ASC procedure that was discontinued after the patient was prepared and taken to the procedure/operating room but before any anesthesia…- When to use: Apply CPT modifier 73 on the FACILITY (outpatient hospital or ASC) claim when the patient has been fully prepared and physically taken into the procedure/operating room but the…
    74Modifier ‑74 indicates an outpatient hospital or ASC procedure that was discontinued after anesthesia was administered and after the procedure had begun. Use this modifier when anesthesia (local,…- Use modifier -74 when a procedure in an outpatient hospital or ASC setting is terminated after anesthesia has been administered and after the procedure has commenced (for example, after incision,…
    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…
    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…

    Showing 1–10 of 11

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207Y00000X
    1223G0001X
    207RR0500X
    251G00000X
    246RP1900X
    163WH0500X
    347E00000X
    261QM2500X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: General Surgery1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Surgical ProceduresUnitedHealthcare2026-09-01
    Outpatient Surgical Procedures - Site of ServiceUnitedHealthcare2026-09-01
    Site of Service Ambulatory Service Center (ASC) Select — Surgical or Diagnostic Procedures in AdultsPremera Bluecross2026-09-01
    Site of Service Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Select — Surgical or Diagnostic Procedures in AdultsPremera Bluecross2026-09-01
    Site of Service Ambulatory Service Center (ASC) SelectPremera Bluecross2026-09-01
    Site of Service Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Select — Site of Service for Ambulatory Surgical Procedures (ASC Select)Premera Bluecross2026-09-01
    Site of Service Ambulatory Service Center (ASC) SelectPremera Bluecross2026-09-01
    Outpatient Surgical Procedures - Site of Servicesierra health and life2026-08-01
    Medical Necessity Guidelines — Inpatient Surgical CareMass General Brigham Health Plan2026-08-01
    Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) - Site of Care PolicyKaiser Permanente2026-08-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-42600-SURGICAL-MANAGEMENT-SALIVARY-FISTULA

    CPT 42600: Salivary Fistula Repair/Drainage

    CPT-42650-SALIVARY-DUCT-DILATION-PROBE-INSERTION

    CPT 42650: Salivary Duct Dilation with Probe

    CPT-42660-SALIVARY-DUCT-DILATION-AND-CATHETERIZATION

    CPT 42660: Salivary Duct Dilation and Catheterization

    CPT-42665-INTRAORAL-SALIVARY-DUCT-LIGATION

    CPT 42665: Intraoral Salivary Duct Ligation

    CPT-42699-SALIVARY-GLAND-DUCT-PROCEDURE-UNLISTED

    CPT 42699: Unlisted Procedure on Salivary Gland or Duct

    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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