CPT^® 21620, Under Excision Procedures on the Neck (Soft Tissues) and Thorax

The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT^®) code 21620 as maintained by American Medical Association, is a medical procedural code under the range - Excision Procedures on the Neck (Soft Tissues) and Thorax.

Additional/Related Information

Tabs

Summary

The provider removes a portion of the patient's sternum, or breast bone, to treat lesions, abnormal bony protrusions, bone infection, or necrotic bone.

For clinical responsibility, terminology, tips and additional info
start codify free trial.

View any code changes for 2026 as well as historical information on code creation and revision.

Crosswalks

Tabs

MODIFIERS
ICD-10-CM

Combat the #1 denial reason - mismatched CPT-ICD-9 codes - with top Medicare carrier and private payer accepted diagnoses for the chosen CPT® code.

View the CPT® code's corresponding procedural code and DRG. In a click, check the DRG's IPPS allowable, length of stay, and more. To plug inpatient facility revenue drains, subscribe to DRG Coder today.

Crosswalk to an anesthesia code and its base units, and calculate payments in a snap! Subscribe to Anesthesia Coder today.

View matching HCPCS Level II codes and their definitions.

Forum

Have a question about CPT Code 21620 ? Start a discussion here

Sternoclavicle joint resection for chest wall abscess

Hello everyone, I need a little help. My patient has an extensive chest wall abscess. The surgeon drained & debrided the chest wall abscess, removed the second rib, removed the sternoclavicular joint... [ Read More ]

Ventral hernia repair w/excision xiphoid tip and removal of Prolene suture in fascia

I am really hoping someone out there can tell me if they agree with code selection or make suggestions. The operative summary is attached. I'm thinking 49560 49568 21620 (xiphoid tip resection) but w... [ Read More ]

Xiphoidectomy

21620 is what you would use for the procedure. Maybe 786.52 for diagnosis???? HTH! :)... [ Read More ]

Sternal Dehiscence

I don't think I would personally bill 35820 because it doesn't sound like the surgeon explored the chest cavity, he was dealing with the sternum only. What about 21620 and 21627, they actually don't... [ Read More ]

Sternal Dehiscence

Hello: :oWe have a pt who came into the ER due to Sternal dehiscence. He had a cabg out of state 3 wks ago. He is now home and will not being seeing the surgeon who did the cabg. The remaining p... [ Read More ]

xiphoid and heterotopic scar EXCISION

We ended up making about a 6 to 7 cm incision from the lower aspect of the sternum inferiorly. The subcutaneous tissue was divided. The calcified scar is identified, and this is circumferentially diss... [ Read More ]

Excision Xiphoid process

What about 21620 instead of the unlisted? 21620 Ostectomy of sternum, partial Lay Description The physician removes a portion of the sternum from the chest. With the patient under anest... [ Read More ]

Xyphoidectomy

Probably code 21620. The xiphoid process is part of the sternum. Lisi, CPC... [ Read More ]

xiphoid resection

What about 21620 Ostectomy of sternum, partial. The physician removes a portion of the sternum from the chest. With the patient under anesthesia, the physician makes an incision in the skin overlying... [ Read More ]

Manubriectomy

Hello, May be 21620 - Kindly check;... [ Read More ]

View All