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CPT code 42140: Uvula excision, excision of uvula2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports surgical removal of uvular tissue, such as an isolated excision for a symptomatic elongated uvula, rather than biopsy or broader palate repair.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality294 Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $351.86 for 42140 in the office and $171.65 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$351.86Office (non-facility)
$171.65Hospital or facility
+15.4%vs the national office rate ($304.95)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 42140 nationwide

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

We’ll open 42140 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 42140 covers
  3. Compared with other areas
  4. Rate map
  5. How it’s calculated
  6. Payment rules
  7. Related codes
  8. Rate history
  9. Where it applies
  10. Billing questions
  11. Sources

What 42140 covers

An otolaryngologist removes uvular tissue when the uvula itself is the target of treatment, such as an isolated excision for symptomatic elongation or irritation. The procedure may be performed in an operating room or an appropriately equipped procedure setting, depending on the planned surgery and patient. When uvular removal is part of a broader palate and pharyngeal operation, the overall procedure may be represented by a different code rather than an isolated excision.

Select 42140 when the operative service is excision of the uvula, not merely sampling a lesion or destroying it. The operative note should identify the uvula as the site, describe the tissue removed, and establish the reason for excision. Medicare assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. For multiple procedures in one 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 is restricted, and 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.

How Washington, DC area compares for 42140

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 42140 runs from $267.13 in Arkansas to $414.37 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $351.86. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

42140 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$351.86
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$348.90−$2.96
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$326.61−$25.25
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$316.50−$35.36
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$352.18+$0.32
  6. Alaska · Alaska$344.94−$6.92
  7. Alabama · Alabama$271.39−$80.47

Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

42140 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$267.13$135.72
ArizonaArizona$296.35$148.11
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$326.21$158.55
Chico, CACalifornia$325.54$157.88
El Centro, CACalifornia$325.58$157.92
Fresno, CACalifornia$325.54$157.88
Hanford, CACalifornia$325.54$157.88
Madera, CACalifornia$325.54$157.88

42140 rates by state

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

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

Explore a state

Local rates. Clear comparisons.

Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.

$267.13

$369.96

Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.

View every state and territory as a table
42140 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$344.941
AL$271.391
AR$267.131
AZ$296.351
CA$325.54–$414.3729
CO$319.411
CT$326.291
DC$351.861
DE$301.551
FL$298.17–$326.613
GA$280.31–$310.532
GU$334.851
HI$334.851
IA$279.761
ID$281.561
IL$288.24–$317.804
IN$283.351
KS$277.921
KY$277.451
LA$276.82–$291.732
MA$317.09–$353.292
MD$307.78–$351.863
ME$282.70–$299.942
MI$284.90–$301.762
MN$306.551
MO$271.38–$293.363
MS$269.331
MT$304.931
NC$285.971
ND$300.391
NE$281.551
NH$313.901
NJ$330.16–$347.662
NM$286.421
NV$303.911
NY$290.58–$360.795
OH$283.971
OK$277.361
OR$301.70–$330.712
PA$284.70–$317.352
PR$307.501
RI$313.151
SC$285.421
SD$299.851
TN$279.391
TX$282.64–$318.218
UT$289.661
VA$298.58–$351.862
VI$307.501
VT$298.741
WA$316.65–$361.212
WI$289.481
WV$276.581
WY$302.951

See 42140 in every payment locality

How the 42140 rate is calculated

Each of 42140’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 · 42140

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.66

1.66 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense7.24

7.24 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.23

0.23 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

9.1300

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$304.95

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

The exact Washington, DC area inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

4,999

Code
42140
Physician work
1.66
Practice expense
7.24
Malpractice
0.23

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 42140 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.66× 1.0541.7496
Practice expense7.24× 1.1788.5287
Malpractice0.23× 1.1130.2560
Total RVUs10.5343
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$351.86

Office: (1.66 × 1.054 + 7.24 × 1.178 + 0.23 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $351.86

Facility: (1.66 × 1.054 + 2.66 × 1.178 + 0.23 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $171.65

Open 42140 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 42140

42140 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 42140

Uvula excision, excision of uvula

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period090Major surgery: the day before, the day of, and 90 days after are included.
Multiple procedures2Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%.
Bilateral (modifier 50)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)1Not paid (statutory restriction).
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.
Split (54/55/56)0.09/0.81/0.10Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care.

Global surgery period · 42140

Uvula excision, excision of uvula

90-day global period ends

Dec 30, 2026

Covers Sep 30, 2026 through Dec 30, 2026 (92 days, including the day before surgery).

Visit on Oct 31, 2026

Day 30 of the 90-day post-op period: related follow-up care is included in the surgical payment.

  • 24Unrelated E/M visit by the same physician
  • 79Unrelated procedure (starts its own global period)
  • 58Staged, more extensive, or therapy procedure that was planned
  • 78Unplanned return to the operating room for a related complication
SurgeryVisit
Sep 23, 2026Jan 10, 2027

Pre-op dayGlobal period

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

42140 without 51 · national office

$304.95

Uvula excision, excision of uvula

42140-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$152.48

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%).

When to use modifier 51

Codes related to 42140

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

Codes related to 42140
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Used instead
42145Palatopharyngoplasty, palate and pharynx repairConsider for a broader palate and pharyngeal repair that includes uvular work.No office rate
42120Palate resection, extensive lesion or palateRelevant when the operation involves resection of palate tissue beyond an isolated uvula excision.No office rate
42100Palate biopsy, tissue samplingRepresents diagnostic biopsy of the palate rather than therapeutic removal of the uvula.$170.77
42160Palate lesion treatment, destruction methodUse when treating a mouth-roof lesion by destruction rather than excising the uvula.$265.92

How 42140 has changed in Washington, DC area

42140 · Office / nonfacility

$351.86

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $4.75 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $347.11 to $351.86 (1.4%).

It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.

Base rate by release · bars start at $0 · select a bar to compare

One bar per available release, ordered by effective date. Missing rates remain gaps. These comparisons hold the code, setting and locality identifiers constant; they do not isolate which policy or input caused a change.

What changed, release by release

  1. January 1, 2026

    RVU26A

    $347.11changed to$351.86

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.70 changed to 1.66
    • Practice expense RVU 7.26 changed to 7.24
    • Malpractice RVU 0.24 changed to 0.23
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.192 changed to 1.178
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.168 changed to 1.113

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $364.35changed to$347.11

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 7.44 changed to 7.26

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $358.41changed to$364.35

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $379.39changed to$358.41

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 7.49 changed to 7.44
    • Malpractice RVU 0.25 changed to 0.24
    • Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.192
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.231 changed to 1.168

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $391.42changed to$379.39

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 7.45 changed to 7.49
    • Malpractice RVU 0.24 changed to 0.25
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.236 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.294 changed to 1.231

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $378.68changed to$391.42

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 7.09 changed to 7.45
    • Malpractice RVU 0.23 changed to 0.24

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $344.22changed to$378.68

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 6.10 changed to 7.09
    • Malpractice RVU 0.24 changed to 0.23
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.221 changed to 1.236
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.277 changed to 1.294

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $323.79changed to$344.22

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 5.72 changed to 6.10
    • Malpractice RVU 0.25 changed to 0.24
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.049
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.221
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.261 changed to 1.277

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $303.04changed to$323.79

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 5.25 changed to 5.72

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $304.98changed to$303.04

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 5.31 changed to 5.25
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.261

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $309.70changed to$304.98

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 5.43 changed to 5.31
    • Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.048
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.280 changed to 1.271

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $308.68changed to$309.70

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 5.37 changed to 5.43
    • Malpractice RVU 0.26 changed to 0.25

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $307.15changed to$308.68

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $307.25changed to$307.15

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 5.43 changed to 5.37
    • Malpractice RVU 0.22 changed to 0.26
    • Work GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.051
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.202 changed to 1.205
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.280

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $317.33changed to$307.25

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 6.08 changed to 5.43
    • Malpractice RVU 0.23 changed to 0.22
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.050
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.198 changed to 1.202
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.130 changed to 1.205

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $317.33

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$351.86$171.65RVU26D
2026-07-01$351.86$171.65RVU26C
2026-04-01$351.86$171.65RVU26B
2026-01-01$351.86$171.65RVU26A
2025-10-01$347.11$184.40RVU25D
2025-07-01$347.11$184.40RVU25C
2025-04-01$347.11$184.40RVU25B
2025-01-01$347.11$184.40RVU25A
2024-10-01$364.35$188.58RVU24D
2024-07-01$364.35$188.58RVU24C
2024-04-01$364.35$188.58RVU24B
2024-03-09$364.35$188.58RVU24AR
2024-01-01$358.41$185.50RVU24A
2023-10-01$379.39$191.80RVU23D
2023-07-01$379.39$191.80RVU23C
2023-04-01$379.39$191.80RVU23B
2023-01-01$379.39$191.80RVU23A
2022-10-01$391.42$192.95RVU22D
2022-07-01$391.42$192.95RVU22C
2022-04-01$391.42$192.95RVU22B
2022-01-01$391.42$192.95RVU22A
2021-10-01$378.68$188.49RVU21D
2021-07-01$378.68$188.49RVU21C
2021-04-01$378.68$188.49RVU21B
2021-01-01$378.68$188.49RVU21A
2020-10-01$344.22$186.46RVU20D
2020-07-01$344.22$186.46RVU20C
2020-04-01$344.22$186.46RVU20B
2020-01-01$344.22$186.46RVU20A
2019-10-01$323.79$184.39RVU19D
2019-07-01$323.79$184.39RVU19C
2019-04-01$323.79$184.39RVU19B
2019-01-01$323.79$184.39RVU19A
2018-10-01$303.04$182.45RVU18D
2018-07-01$303.04$182.45RVU18C
2018-04-01$303.04$182.45RVU18B
2018-01-01$303.04$182.45RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$304.98$184.32RVU17D
2017-07-01$304.98$184.32RVU17C
2017-04-01$304.98$184.32RVU17B
2017-01-01$304.98$184.32RVU17A
2016-10-01$309.70$186.74RVU16D
2016-07-01$309.70$186.74RVU16C
2016-04-01$309.70$186.74RVU16B
2016-01-01$309.70$186.74RVU16A
2015-10-01$308.68$187.44RVU15D
2015-07-01$308.68$187.44RVU15C
2015-04-01$307.15$186.51RVU15B
2015-01-01$307.15$186.51RVU15A
2014-10-01$307.25$185.39RVU14D
2014-07-01$307.25$185.39RVU14C
2014-04-01$307.25$185.39RVU14B
2014-01-01$307.25$185.39RVU14A
2013-10-01$317.33$187.31RVU13D
2013-07-01$317.33$187.31RVU13C
2013-04-01$317.33$187.31RVU13B
2013-01-01$317.33$187.31RVU13AR

Price 42140 for an earlier date of service

Where the Washington, DC area rate applies

Washington, DC area is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in District of Columbia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Washington

Browse all communities in District of Columbia

42140 billing questions

When should 42140 be chosen instead of 42145?

Use 42140 for excision focused on the uvula. When the operation includes broader palate or pharyngeal repair, evaluate 42145 instead of treating the uvular work as a separate service automatically.

Can 42140 be reported with a biopsy code?

A diagnostic sampling service and a therapeutic excision are different services. The record should show that a distinct biopsy was performed; do not report a biopsy merely because the excised tissue was sent for pathology.

Is modifier 50 appropriate for this code?

No. The CMS bilateral adjustment does not apply to 42140, and modifier 50 is inappropriate for this anatomy and descriptor.

What postoperative care is included?

The 90-day global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care.

Can an assistant surgeon or co-surgeon be paid?

CMS applies a statutory restriction to assistant-at-surgery payment for this code. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

How is 42140 affected when other procedures are done in the same session?

Under the standard multiple procedure reduction, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the other procedures are paid at 50% when performed in the same session.

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
RVUs for 42140PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 4,999 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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