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    OpenPayerBilling CodesExcision and Destruction Procedures on the Pharynx, Adenoids, and TonsilsCPT cpt-42831-initial-adenoidectomy-age-12-or-older
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    CPT 42831: Initial Adenoidectomy, Age 12 or Older

    Medicare pays $219 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 42831 describes an initial adenoidectomy for patients aged 12 years or older, a surgical removal of the adenoids typically performed as an operative procedure in an inpatient or outpatient surgical setting such as an ambulatory surgery center or hospital operating room; the code denotes the primary adenoidectomy service for this age group and is used for procedure documentation and billing for that clinical ENT service.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use Disorders, Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use Disorders, Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use Disorders.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is a 14-year-old adolescent presenting to an otolaryngology clinic with a 12–18 month history of nasal obstruction, snoring, and recurrent otitis media with effusion refractory to medical therapy. Symptoms include chronic mouth-breathing, sleep-disordered breathing with witnessed apnea episodes, and persistent conductive hearing loss from middle-ear effusion. Examination and flexible nasopharyngoscopy demonstrate enlarged adenoids obstructing the nasopharyngeal airway. Audiometry and tympanometry confirm middle-ear effusion. After failed conservative management (nasal steroid trial, observation, antibiotic courses when indicated), the otolaryngologist schedules an operative adenoidectomy. The procedure is performed in an ambulatory surgical center or hospital outpatient surgical suite under general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation. Intraoperative steps include visualization of the nasopharynx, removal of adenoid tissue with curette or microdebrider, hemostasis, and inspection for residual tissue. If concurrent procedures (for example, myringotomy with tube placement) are indicated, they may be performed during the same anesthesia encounter. Postoperative recovery includes short observation in PACU with discharge instructions for analgesia and activity restrictions and follow-up for symptom resolution and hearing reassessment.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    42830Adenoidectomy, younger than age 12 yearsAlternative age-specific code; use when patient is under 12 instead of 42831
    69436Tympanostomy (myringotomy) with insertion of ventilation tube(s)Commonly performed concurrently when chronic otitis media with effusion or hearing loss is present
    31500Intubation, endotracheal, emergency procedure or general anesthesia airway managementRepresents airway management during general anesthesia for the adenoidectomy (anesthesia CPTs are separate)
    S0815Endoscopic visualization of nasopharynx (where local reporting applies)Ancillary code sometimes used to report endoscopic nasopharyngeal evaluation during procedure when separately reportable
    99223Initial hospital inpatient care, typically 70 minutes or moreRepresents preoperative inpatient evaluation when adenoidectomy is performed during an inpatient admission

    Related Modifiers

    9 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.,…
    51Modifier –51 (Multiple Procedures) is used when the same provider performs multiple procedures in the same session to identify secondary, non‑exempt procedures and indicate payment reduction logic…- Use modifier -51 when the same provider performs multiple distinct procedures during the same patient encounter: report the highest‑valued procedure first (no modifier) and append -51 to…
    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…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    208100000XPhysical Medicine & Rehabilitation PhysicianPhysical medicine and rehabilitation, also referred to as rehabilitation medicine, is the medical specialty concerned with diagnosing, evaluating, and…
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    363LP0222XCritical Care Pediatric Nurse PractitionerPhysician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Nurse Practitioner
    152WP0200XPediatric OptometristOptometrists who work in Pediatrics are concerned with the prevention, development, diagnosis, and treatment of visual problems in children.
    364SI0800XInformatics Clinical Nurse SpecialistPhysician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Clinical Nurse Specialist
    208000000XPediatrics PhysicianA pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectru…
    2080P0207XPediatric Hematology & Oncology PhysicianA pediatrician trained in the combination of pediatrics, hematology and oncology to recognize and manage pediatric blood disorders and cancerous disea…
    171R00000XInterpreterAn Interpreter is a person who translates oral communication between two or more people. This includes translating from one language to another or in…

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Anesthesiology1 / 3

    9 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    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
    Mm_0579_Coveragepositioncriteria_Anesthesia_Services_Selected_Nerve_BlocksCigna2026-05-15
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric DisordersBlue Cross Blue Shield - North Carolina2026-04-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-42800-OROPHARYNGEAL-BIOPSY

    CPT 42800: Biopsy, Oropharynx

    CPT-42804-NASOPHARYNGEAL-LESION-BIOPSY

    CPT 42804: Biopsy of Visible Nasopharyngeal Lesion

    CPT-42806-NASOPHARYNGEAL-BIOPSY-UNKNOWN-PRIMARY-LESION

    CPT 42806: Biopsy of Nasopharyngeal Lesion, Unknown Primary

    CPT-42808-PHARYNGEAL-LESION-DESTRUCTION-LASER-CRYOSURGERY

    CPT 42808: Pharynx Lesion Destruction (Laser, Cryosurgery, Electrocautery)

    CPT-42809-PHARYNX-FOREIGN-BODY-REMOVAL

    CPT 42809: Removal of Foreign Body from Pharynx

    CPT-42810-BRACHIAL-CLEFT-CYST-EXCISION

    CPT 42810: Excision of Brachial Cleft Cyst, Lateral Neck

    CPT-42815-BRACHIAL-CLEFT-CYST-EXCISION

    CPT 42815: Excision of Brachial Cleft Cyst, Lateral Neck

    CPT-42820-TONSILLECTOMY-AND-ADENOIDECTOMY-YOUNGER-THAN-12

    CPT 42820: Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy, Patient Younger Than 12 Years

    CPT-42821-TONSILLECTOMY-ADENOIDECTOMY-AGE-12-PLUS

    CPT 42821: Tonsillectomy with Adenoidectomy, Age 12 or Older

    CPT-42825-PEDIATRIC-TONSILLECTOMY-UNDER-12

    CPT 42825: Tonsillectomy in Patients Under 12 Years

    Showing 1–10 of 22

    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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