CPT code 41520: Frenuloplasty, for restricted tongue movement2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $361.06 for 41520 nationally in the office and $230.47 in a hospital or facility. Local office rates run $318.56–$477.94.

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 41520 covers

CPT 41520 describes surgical reconstruction of the lingual frenulum, the fold of tissue beneath the tongue. It is commonly used for ankyloglossia when restricted tongue movement calls for frenuloplasty rather than simple division or removal of the frenulum. Otolaryngologists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons may perform the procedure in an office or operating-room setting, depending on the patient and the planned repair.

Select the code when the operative work reconstructs or lengthens the tongue fold; document the functional restriction, relevant anatomy, and repair performed. The code has a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. 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 50% reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. 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 41520 pays more and less

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

109 of 109 payment localities

41520 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

How the 41520 rate is calculated

Each of 41520’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.

Payment rules and modifiers for 41520

41520 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 51

41520 compared with similar codes

How to choose

41115Tongue-tie surgeryLingual frenum excision

CPT 41115 describes excision of the lingual frenulum. Report 41520 when the operative service reconstructs or lengthens the tongue fold.

41510Tongue adhesionTongue-to-lip fixation

This is tongue-to-lip surgery, a distinct operation from lingual frenulum reconstruction. Choose according to the procedure actually performed.

41512Tongue suspensionPermanent suture technique

This code describes tongue suspension, not repair of the lingual frenulum. The operative target and technique determine the choice.

41599Name pending

Use the unlisted tongue or floor-of-mouth code only when a specific code does not describe the operation; 41520 specifically covers tongue-fold reconstruction.

Codes related to 41520

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

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

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates