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    OpenPayerBilling CodesIncision Procedures on the Pharynx, Adenoids, and TonsilsCPT cpt-42700-peritonsillar-abscess-incision-and-drainage
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    CPT 42700: Incision and Drainage of Peritonsillar Abscess

    Medicare pays $206 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 42700 describes an incision and drainage procedure for a peritonsillar abscess adjacent to a tonsil, a minor surgical service typically performed in an outpatient clinic, emergency department, or ambulatory surgery setting to evacuate pus and relieve obstruction and pain.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Dental Anesthesia Services, Anesthesia Services for Interventional Pain Management Procedures in an Adult, General Anesthesia and Conscious Sedation Services.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is an adult or adolescent presenting to the urgent care clinic or emergency department with acute onset sore throat, fever, muffled unilateral throat pain, trismus, and difficulty swallowing. Examination reveals a peritonsillar swelling with uvular deviation and fluctuance suggestive of a peritonsillar abscess. After topical or local anesthesia, the provider performs a transoral incision and drainage of the abscess adjacent to the tonsil (procedural code 42700). The workflow includes informed consent, analgesia/local anesthesia, aspiration or incision with drainage, culture collection if purulent material is obtained, monitoring for bleeding, post-procedure instructions and prescription for appropriate antibiotics and analgesics, and scheduling follow-up within 24–72 hours to confirm resolution or need for further intervention.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    42700Incision and drainage of peritonsillar abscess (procedure described)Primary procedure for drainage of an abscess adjacent to a tonsil.
    42800Drainage of a deep space infection of the neck, external approachMay be used if infection extends beyond the peritonsillar space requiring external drainage.
    99152Moderate sedation provided by the physician when performed by the same physician performing the procedureMay be reported if moderate sedation beyond local anesthesia is provided during drainage.
    87070Culture, bacterial; throatUsed when purulent material is sent for culture and sensitivity.
    99024Postoperative follow-up visit, included in global periodRoutine follow-up related to the procedure; documentation required to bill if outside global period.

    Related Modifiers

    5 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.,…
    P5Modifier P5 denotes a moribund patient who is not expected to survive without the operative procedure and is used only with anesthesia CPT codes 00100–01999. The anesthesia provider must append P5…- Use modifier P5 only when the anesthesia provider determines the patient is moribund and not expected to survive without the operation, and append it only to anesthesia CPT codes 00100–01999…
    63Modifier‑63 is appended to surgical CPT codes (20000–69990) when a procedure is performed on a neonate or infant weighing ≤ 4 kg (about 8.8 lbs). The AMA/AAPC definition specifies this use and notes…- Use modifier -63 only for surgical procedures in the CPT 20000–69990 series performed on a neonate or infant who weighs ≤ 4 kg at the time of the procedure; it indicates increased complexity due to…
    92Modifier 92 (Alternative Laboratory Platform Testing) is used when laboratory tests are performed with single‑use, disposable, portable kits or transportable instruments. The AMA defines it for tests…- Use modifier 92 when a laboratory test is performed using a single‑use, disposable analytical device or kit (an alternative laboratory platform) that is portable and may be taken to or near the…
    3PThe CPT Category II modifier -3P denotes a performance‑measure exclusion when a required quality action was not performed because of system‑level constraints. It is appended only to Category II…- When to apply: Use CPT Category II modifier 3P only with Category II (‘‘F’’) codes when a specific quality measure’s specifications allow a system‑level exclusion — append 3P to indicate the…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    261QX0203X
    193400000X
    364SC0200X
    317400000X
    343800000X
    2085R0204X
    374U00000X
    225XE0001X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    26 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    A49.9Bacterial infection, unspecified
    B95.1Streptococcus, group B, as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere
    B95.2Enterococcus as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere
    B95.3Streptococcus pneumoniae as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere
    B95.4Other streptococcus as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere
    B95.8Unspecified staphylococcus as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere
    J02.0Streptococcal pharyngitis
    J02.9Acute pharyngitis, unspecified
    J03.90Acute tonsillitis, unspecified
    J03.91Acute recurrent tonsillitis, unspecified

    Showing 1–10 of 26

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Anesthesiology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Dental Anesthesia ServicesProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    Anesthesia Services for Interventional Pain Management Procedures in an AdultCigna2026-09-15
    General Anesthesia and Conscious Sedation ServicesUnitedHealthcare2026-09-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Elective Inpatient Services (for Idaho Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-06-01
    Sites of Servicepriority health2026-06-01
    Coverage for Ambulatory Surgery Unit (ASU)/Outpatient Facility and Anesthesia for Dental Servicesuniverahealthcare2026-05-21

    Related Codes

    CPT-42720-INTRAORAL-DRAINAGE-RETROPHARYNGEAL-PARAPHARYNGEAL-ABSCESS

    CPT 42720: Transoral Drainage of Retropharyngeal or Parapharyngeal Abscess

    CPT-42725-RETROPHARYNGEAL-PARAPHARYNGEAL-ABSCESS-DRAINAGE-EXTERNAL-APPROACH

    CPT 42725: External Drainage of Retropharyngeal/Parapharyngeal Abscess

    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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