Billing code 42140: Uvula excisionMedicare rate & RVUs
Reports surgical removal of uvular tissue, such as an isolated excision for a symptomatic elongated uvula, rather than biopsy or broader palate repair.
Medicare pays $304.95 for 42140 nationally in the office and $151.97 in a hospital or facility. Local office rates run $267.13–$414.37.
Medicare rate · 42140
Uvula excision
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
- Work RVUs
- 1.66
- Total RVUs
- 9.13
- Global days
- 090
National rate · 2026
$304.95
Office setting, before claim adjustments.
See every locality for 42140 → · Billed by an NP, PA or therapist? →
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 10 sections
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.
Where 42140 pays more and less
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
109 payment localities
$267.13 to $414.37
109 of 109 payment localities
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $271.39 | $137.53 |
| Alaska* | $344.94 | $182.02 |
| Arizona | $296.35 | $148.11 |
| Arkansas | $267.13 | $135.72 |
| Atlanta | $310.53 | $155.11 |
| Austin | $318.21 | $156.36 |
| Bakersfield | $326.21 | $158.55 |
| Baltimore/Surr. Cntys | $325.31 | $161.17 |
| Beaumont | $282.64 | $143.43 |
| Brazoria | $301.53 | $149.93 |
| Chicago | $316.50 | $162.75 |
| Chico | $325.54 | $157.88 |
| Colorado | $319.41 | $156.64 |
| Connecticut | $326.29 | $161.54 |
| Dallas | $303.39 | $151.03 |
| Dc + Md/Va Suburbs | $351.86 | $171.65 |
| Delaware | $301.55 | $150.41 |
| Detroit | $301.76 | $154.13 |
| East St. Louis | $293.39 | $152.66 |
| El Centro | $325.58 | $157.92 |
| Fort Lauderdale | $314.30 | $159.34 |
| Fort Worth | $301.07 | $150.24 |
| Fresno | $325.54 | $157.88 |
| Galveston | $302.38 | $150.47 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | $325.54 | $157.88 |
| Hawaii, Guam | $334.85 | $160.91 |
| Houston | $306.59 | $154.68 |
| Idaho | $281.56 | $140.82 |
| Indiana | $283.35 | $141.54 |
| Iowa | $279.76 | $139.79 |
| Kansas | $277.92 | $139.63 |
| Kentucky | $277.45 | $141.46 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (Los Angeles/Orange Cnty) | $348.90 | $167.93 |
| Madera | $325.54 | $157.88 |
| Manhattan | $352.18 | $174.42 |
| Merced | $325.54 | $157.88 |
| Metropolitan Boston | $353.29 | $170.64 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City | $290.02 | $146.38 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia | $317.35 | $158.10 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis | $293.36 | $147.72 |
| Miami | $326.61 | $167.36 |
| Minnesota | $306.55 | $149.14 |
| Mississippi | $269.33 | $137.62 |
| Modesto | $325.54 | $157.88 |
| Montana** | $304.93 | $151.96 |
| Napa | $381.56 | $179.94 |
| Nebraska | $281.55 | $140.35 |
| Nevada** | $303.91 | $150.78 |
| New Hampshire | $313.90 | $154.66 |
| New Mexico | $286.42 | $146.14 |
| New Orleans | $291.73 | $147.78 |
| North Carolina | $285.97 | $143.25 |
| North Dakota** | $300.39 | $147.41 |
| Northern Nj | $347.66 | $170.20 |
| Nyc Suburbs/Long Island | $360.79 | $178.90 |
| Ohio | $283.97 | $144.31 |
| Oklahoma | $277.36 | $140.75 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $347.62 | $166.80 |
| Portland | $330.71 | $160.76 |
| Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs | $332.03 | $164.52 |
| Puerto Rico | $307.50 | $152.84 |
| Queens | $355.91 | $175.09 |
| Redding | $325.54 | $157.88 |
| Rest Of California | $325.54 | $157.88 |
| Rest Of Florida | $298.17 | $151.93 |
| Rest Of Georgia | $280.31 | $143.85 |
| Rest Of Illinois | $288.24 | $148.57 |
| Rest Of Louisiana | $276.82 | $141.43 |
| Rest Of Maine | $282.70 | $141.96 |
| Rest Of Maryland | $307.78 | $152.96 |
| Rest Of Massachusetts | $317.09 | $156.01 |
| Rest Of Michigan | $284.90 | $145.24 |
| Rest Of Missouri | $271.38 | $139.51 |
| Rest Of New Jersey | $330.16 | $163.11 |
| Rest Of New York | $290.58 | $145.25 |
| Rest Of Oregon | $301.70 | $149.34 |
| Rest Of Pennsylvania | $284.70 | $144.27 |
| Rest Of Texas | $291.87 | $146.70 |
| Rest Of Washington | $316.65 | $155.57 |
| Rhode Island | $313.15 | $155.13 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $328.03 | $160.37 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $342.80 | $164.89 |
| Salinas | $341.55 | $164.25 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $350.49 | $167.53 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty) | $405.21 | $189.51 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (San Francisco/San Mateo/Alameda/Contra Costa Cnty) | $404.95 | $189.25 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty) | $414.37 | $193.78 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (Santa Clara Cnty) | $413.30 | $192.71 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $335.94 | $161.70 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $354.54 | $168.68 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $343.08 | $164.71 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $358.18 | $170.33 |
| Seattle (King Cnty) | $361.21 | $173.51 |
| South Carolina | $285.42 | $144.07 |
| South Dakota** | $299.85 | $146.87 |
| Southern Maine | $299.94 | $148.34 |
| Stockton | $325.54 | $157.88 |
| Suburban Chicago | $317.80 | $160.69 |
| Tennessee | $279.39 | $140.33 |
| Utah | $289.66 | $145.86 |
| Vallejo | $381.19 | $179.56 |
| Vermont | $298.74 | $147.29 |
| Virgin Islands | $307.50 | $152.84 |
| Virginia | $298.58 | $148.21 |
| Visalia | $325.54 | $157.88 |
| West Virginia | $276.58 | $143.65 |
| Wisconsin | $289.48 | $142.93 |
| Wyoming** | $302.95 | $149.98 |
| Yuba City | $325.54 | $157.88 |
42140 rates by state
Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.
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
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $344.94 | 1 |
| AL | $271.39 | 1 |
| AR | $267.13 | 1 |
| AZ | $296.35 | 1 |
| CA | $325.54–$414.37 | 29 |
| CO | $319.41 | 1 |
| CT | $326.29 | 1 |
| DC | $351.86 | 1 |
| DE | $301.55 | 1 |
| FL | $298.17–$326.61 | 3 |
| GA | $280.31–$310.53 | 2 |
| GU | $334.85 | 1 |
| HI | $334.85 | 1 |
| IA | $279.76 | 1 |
| ID | $281.56 | 1 |
| IL | $288.24–$317.80 | 4 |
| IN | $283.35 | 1 |
| KS | $277.92 | 1 |
| KY | $277.45 | 1 |
| LA | $276.82–$291.73 | 2 |
| MA | $317.09–$353.29 | 2 |
| MD | $307.78–$351.86 | 3 |
| ME | $282.70–$299.94 | 2 |
| MI | $284.90–$301.76 | 2 |
| MN | $306.55 | 1 |
| MO | $271.38–$293.36 | 3 |
| MS | $269.33 | 1 |
| MT | $304.93 | 1 |
| NC | $285.97 | 1 |
| ND | $300.39 | 1 |
| NE | $281.55 | 1 |
| NH | $313.90 | 1 |
| NJ | $330.16–$347.66 | 2 |
| NM | $286.42 | 1 |
| NV | $303.91 | 1 |
| NY | $290.58–$360.79 | 5 |
| OH | $283.97 | 1 |
| OK | $277.36 | 1 |
| OR | $301.70–$330.71 | 2 |
| PA | $284.70–$317.35 | 2 |
| PR | $307.50 | 1 |
| RI | $313.15 | 1 |
| SC | $285.42 | 1 |
| SD | $299.85 | 1 |
| TN | $279.39 | 1 |
| TX | $282.64–$318.21 | 8 |
| UT | $289.66 | 1 |
| VA | $298.58–$351.86 | 2 |
| VI | $307.50 | 1 |
| VT | $298.74 | 1 |
| WA | $316.65–$361.21 | 2 |
| WI | $289.48 | 1 |
| WV | $276.58 | 1 |
| WY | $302.95 | 1 |
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
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 1.66Practice expense 7.24Malpractice 0.23
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
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
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 090 | Major surgery: the day before, the day of, and 90 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) | 1 | Not paid (statutory restriction). |
| 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) | 0.09/0.81/0.10 | Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care. |
Global surgery period · 42140
Uvula excision
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.
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
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%).
42140 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
42140 vs 42145 vs 42100 vs 42160 vs 42120: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 42145Palatopharyngoplasty
- 42140 is for excision centered on the uvula. Choose 42145 when the service is a broader palate or pharyngeal repair, such as a uvulopalatopharyngoplasty.
- 42100Palate biopsy
- 42100 describes biopsy of the palate for diagnostic sampling; 42140 represents excision of uvular tissue as treatment.
- 42160Palate lesion treatment
- 42160 is for treatment of a mouth-roof lesion by destruction. 42140 is used when uvular tissue is surgically excised.
- 42120Palate resection
- 42120 is relevant to a more extensive palate resection. 42140 is limited to excision of the uvula.
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
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