CPT code 41115: Tongue-tie surgery, lingual frenum excision2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Maine
Reports surgical removal of the lingual frenulum, commonly to release restrictive tongue movement associated with ankyloglossia.
Medicare pays $237.57–$251.07 for 41115 in the office in Maine, from Rest of Maine to Southern Maine, ME. Which amount applies depends on the service address.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
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On this page 9 sections
What 41115 covers
41115 describes surgically removing the band of tissue connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. It is commonly performed to release a restrictive lingual frenulum in a patient with ankyloglossia and limited tongue mobility. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons and otolaryngologists may perform the procedure in an office or operating-room setting.
The operative note should identify the lingual frenulum as the treated structure, document the clinical restriction and indication, and describe the excision performed. The code has a 10-day global period, so related postoperative visits during that period are included. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard multiple-procedure reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documented medical necessity; co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.
This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.
Where 41115 pays more and less in Maine
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Rest of Maine | $237.57 | $124.80 |
| Southern Maine, ME | $251.07 | $129.59 |
How the 41115 rate is calculated
Each of 41115’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.
How the rate is built · 41115
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.75
1.75 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense5.66
5.66 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.25
0.25 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
7.6600
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$255.85
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 41115
41115 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 41115
Tongue-tie surgery, lingual frenum excision
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 010 | Minor procedure: the day of the procedure plus 10 days after are included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
| Split (54/55/56) | 0.10/0.80/0.10 | Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care. |
Global surgery period · 41115
Tongue-tie surgery, lingual frenum excision
10-day global period ends
Oct 11, 2026
Covers Oct 1, 2026 through Oct 11, 2026 (11 days).
Visit on Oct 31, 2026
After the global period ends: visits and procedures are billed normally.
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
41115 without 51 · national office
$255.85
Tongue-tie surgery, lingual frenum excision
41115-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$127.93
When this isn’t the highest-valued procedure in the session, Medicare pays 50% of its fee schedule amount (the highest is paid at 100%).
41115 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 41520FrenuloplastyFor restricted tongue movement
- Use 41115 for excision of the lingual frenulum. Consider 41520 when the documented service is surgical revision of a frenum, such as a reconstructive lengthening.
- 41110Tongue lesion excisionWithout closure
- 41115 addresses the tissue band under the tongue; 41110 is for excision of a tongue lesion. Select according to the structure actually treated.
- 41112Tongue excisionAnterior two-thirds, with closure
- 41112 is a tongue-lesion excision code with closure, not a lingual frenulum excision code. The operative target distinguishes it from 41115.
41115 billing questions
When is 41115 appropriate instead of a frenoplasty code?
Use 41115 when the service is excision of the lingual frenulum. A frenoplasty code is considered when the surgeon performs a reconstructive revision of the frenum rather than straightforward excision.
How does 41115 differ from tongue-lesion excision?
41115 treats the lingual frenulum, the tissue band beneath the tongue. Tongue-lesion excision codes apply when the target is a separate lesion on the tongue.
Can modifier 50 be reported for bilateral treatment?
No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code.
Are postoperative visits separately reported during the global period?
Related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period are included in the procedure.
Can an assistant surgeon or co-surgeon be reported?
Assistant-at-surgery payment is allowed only when medical necessity is documented. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.
How are other procedures paid when performed in the same session?
The highest-valued procedure is paid in full, and the other procedures are subject to the standard multiple-procedure reduction.
Where these rates come from
FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.
CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027
Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
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