CPT code 21122: Genioplasty sliding osteotomy billing guide
CPT code 21122 is the billable code for a genioplasty performed with two or more sliding osteotomies of the chin. Payers read the osteotomy count in the operative note to decide whether a claim belongs here or under 21121. This guide covers the descriptor, modifier rules, 2026 fee schedule mechanics, the ICD-10-CM crosswalk, and the […]
CPT code 17106: Vascular lesion destruction billing guide
CPT code 17106 covers the destruction of cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions when the treated area totals less than 10 sq cm. Laser is the modality the descriptor names, though it is not the only method that qualifies. The tricky part is the number. Three codes share this descriptor and split on treated area alone. A […]
CPT code 15851: Suture removal billing rules for 2026
CPT code 15851 reports removal of sutures or staples when the patient needs general anesthesia or moderate sedation. Local anesthesia does not qualify, and Medicare prices the code in the facility setting only. Much of that is new. The 2023 CPT update deleted 15850, rewrote 15851, and added two add-on codes for office removals. Older […]
CPT code 21445: Open treatment of alveolar ridge fracture
CPT code 21445 covers open treatment of a mandibular or maxillary alveolar ridge fracture. The alveolar ridge is the tooth-bearing rim of bone in the upper or lower jaw. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons report 21445 when that segment is exposed surgically and reduced. Practice management software like Pabau lets coding teams attach codes such as […]
CPT code 21407: Open treatment of orbital fracture with implant
CPT code 21407 covers open treatment of an orbital fracture, excluding blowout, when the surgeon places an implant. The implant restores orbital anatomy, and its presence in the operative note is what separates 21407 from 21406. The code sits in the musculoskeletal section of the CPT code set, under fracture and dislocation procedures on the […]
CPT code 21355: Percutaneous treatment of malar area fracture
CPT code 21355 covers percutaneous treatment of a fracture of the malar area, including the zygomatic arch and malar tripod, with manipulation. The surgeon reduces the fracture through the skin with an instrument. No open incision is made to expose the fracture segments. Payers treat that closed approach as a hard line. Submitting 21355 with […]
CPT code 21470: Open treatment of complicated mandibular fracture
CPT code 21470 covers open treatment of a complicated mandibular fracture through multiple surgical approaches. The same descriptor takes in internal fixation, interdental fixation, and wiring of dentures or splints. It sits at the top of the mandibular fracture family for both work RVUs and payment. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons bill it after high-energy facial […]
CPT Code 21346: Nasomaxillary fracture open treatment billing guide
CPT Code 21346 describes open treatment of a nasomaxillary complex fracture of the LeFort II type, with wiring and/or local fixation. The code is maintained by the American Medical Association and sits under fracture and dislocation procedures on the head. It is billable and specific, and valid for HIPAA-covered electronic transactions. This reference covers the […]
CPT code 15835: Excision of excessive skin, buttock
A buttock skin excision can be textbook surgery and still come back denied. Most payers read CPT code 15835 as cosmetic before they read anything else. The claim then rests on your documentation rather than on how the operation went. That puts the weight on the chart. Photos, weight history, and a note on what […]
CPT code 15828: Rhytidectomy of cheek, chin, and neck
CPT code 15828 claims get denied often, and rarely because of the surgery itself. The problem is usually a mismatch between the code and the operative note, or the wrong code pulled from the rhytidectomy family. Five related codes cover different combinations of forehead, cheek, chin, neck, and platysmal work, so it’s easy to pick […]