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CPT 46050: Incision and Drainage of Superficial Perianal Abscess
Headline: CPT code 46050 covers incision and drainage of superficial abscesses near the anal canal.
Lead: CPT code 46050 designates a minor surgical procedure for incision and drainage of a superficial perianal abscess. This code is used across outpatient and emergency settings to document and bill for definitive drainage of localized purulent collections adjacent to the anal canal.
CPT code 46050 matters nationally because perianal abscesses are a common acute surgical condition requiring prompt procedural management to prevent progression and recurrent sepsis. Proper coding ensures accurate clinical documentation, care tracking, and payment for a frequently performed, time-sensitive procedure.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a clinical and billing-focused overview that explains the procedure context, typical sites of service, and common billing considerations. The publication outlines national benchmarks where available, summarizes relevant policy updates affecting outpatient surgical coding, and provides clinical context for when this procedure is indicated.
What readers will learn: how CPT code 46050 is applied in practice, typical settings where the service is delivered, payer landscape covered in the report, and the types of benchmarks and policy issues that influence coding and reimbursement for minor anorectal surgical procedures.
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Billing Code Overview
CPT code 46050 describes an incision and drainage of a superficial abscess near the anal canal. The procedure involves making an incision to evacuate purulent material from a superficial perianal or perirectal abscess.
Service type: Minor surgical procedure (incision and drainage)
Typical site of service: Ambulatory surgical center or outpatient clinic procedure room; may also be performed in an emergency department when clinically indicated.