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Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Otolaryngology Coding:

Use Combo Code in This Primary Tonsillectomy and Secondary Adenoidectomy Scenario

Published on Fri Oct 31, 2025

Question: Our provider performed a primary tonsillectomy and a secondary adenoidectomy on an 8-year-old patient. Should I code both procedures separately using 42825 and 42835, or should I use the combination code 42820, even though it doesn’t stipulate primary and secondary for either procedure? Vermont Subscriber Answer: Even though the combination tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy (T&A) codes (42820-42821) do not distinguish between primary [...]
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