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CPT 42720 Fee Schedule

Last Verified: December 2025

Healthcare providers use this code to document and receive reimbursement for visits that address moderate-level medical decision-making, often including multiple diagnoses or prescription management.

I & D Abscess; Retro/Para Pharyngeal, In
Key FactDetail
Service Type

Surgery

Surgical Procedures on the Digestive System

Common Place of Service

21 - Inpatient Hospital

22 - On Campus Outpatient Hospital

Common Modifiers

None

AG - Primary physician

GC - Service performed by resident under supervision

Complexity LevelModerate
CMS$436.03 Physician Fee Schedule

National average reimbursement for CPT 42720 by major payers:

bcbs

$567.54

uhc

$598.31

aetna

$642.94

cigna

$741.93

Preview provider-level rates for...
For billing codeCPT 42720
PayerCodeRateNPITax IDStateSpecialty

Select a payer to view fee schedule data

Choose a payer from the options above to see rates for CPT 42720

United
42720$725.001053846592 - EASTSIDE ENDOSCOPY CENTER LLC810759895 - (GA) EASTSIDE ENDOSCOPY CENTER LLCGAAmbulatory Surgical Clinic/Center (261QA1903X)
United
42720$867.001770042111 - O'FALLON SURGICAL CENTER, LLC, PHYSICIANS SURGICAL CENTER814388166 - (IL) OFALLON SURGICAL CENTER LLCILAmbulatory Surgical Clinic/Center (261QA1903X)
United
42720$822.001750529814 - WEST BRIDGEWATER MA ENDOSCOPY ASC LLC, COMMONWEALTH ENDOSCOPY CENTER261765306 - (MA) WEST BRIDGEWATER MA ENDOSCOPY ASC LLCMAAmbulatory Surgical Clinic/Center (261QA1903X)
United
42720$944.001881738607 - NACOGDOCHES COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT, NACOGDOCHES MEMORIAL HOSPITAL DAY SURG CIDC871142127 - (TX) LION STAR NACOGDOCHES HOSPITAL, LLC DBA NACOGDOCHES MEMORIAL HOSPITALTXAmbulatory Surgical Clinic/Center (261QA1903X)
United
42720$947.001801825880 - SURGERY CENTER AT RIVER ROAD, LLC, AESTHETIC SURGERY AT HACIENDA DEL SOL760824670 - (AZ) SURGERY CENTER AT RIVER ROAD, LLCAZAmbulatory Surgical Clinic/Center (261QA1903X)
United
42720$1250.001164723011 - SURGICAL SPECIALTY CENTER OF WESTCHESTER LLC, PLASTIC SURGERY CENTER OF WESTCHESTER LLC273453889 - (NY) SURGICAL SPECIALTY CENTER OF WESTCHESTER, LLCNYAmbulatory Surgical Clinic/Center (261QA1903X)
United
42720$1387.001003103474 - NEW ALBANY SURGERY CENTER, LLC451617821 - (OH) NEW ALBANY SURGERY CENTER, LLCOHAmbulatory Surgical Clinic/Center (261QA1903X)
United
42720$1233.001518154517 - SUMMIT AMBULATORY SURGICAL CENTER, LLC522148280MDAmbulatory Surgical Clinic/Center (261QA1903X)
United
42720$503.001255860383 - EYE SURGERY CENTER OF KNOXVILLE, LLC611793948 - (TN) EYE SURGERY CENTER OF KNOXVILLE LLCTNAmbulatory Surgical Clinic/Center (261QA1903X)
United
42720$1258.001891253035 - ADVANCED CENTER FOR SURGERY, THE ADVANCED CENTER FOR SURGERY611917634 - (FL) ADVANCED CENTER FOR SURGERYFLAmbulatory Surgical Clinic/Center (261QA1903X)
United
42720$3164.001164732426 - NORWALK SURGERY CENTER, LLC272394942 - (CT) NORWALK SURGERY CENTER LLCCTAmbulatory Surgical Clinic/Center (261QA1903X)
United
42720$799.331003310616 - CARIDAD PADRON350593390 - DEACONESS HOSPITAL INCAZInternal Medicine Physician (207R00000X)
United
42720$3188.001295748531 - THE EMORY CLINIC INC, EMORY CLINIC AMBULATORY SURGERY CENTER582030692 - EMORY UNIVERSITYGAAmbulatory Surgical Clinic/Center (261QA1903X)
United
42720$295.001205872108 - THE SURGERY & ENDOSCOPY CENTER LLC43747286 - (FL) THE SURGERY ENDOSCOPY CENTER LLCFLAmbulatory Surgical Clinic/Center (261QA1903X)
United
42720$1258.001205949245 - MEMORIAL SURGERY CENTER, LLC201167151 - (OK) MEMORIAL SURGERY CENTER LLCOKAmbulatory Surgical Clinic/Center (261QA1903X)
United
99202$100.0012345678901234567890CACardiologist
United
99202$100.0012345678901234567890CACardiologist
United
99202$100.0012345678901234567890CACardiologist
United
99202$100.0012345678901234567890CACardiologist
United
99202$100.0012345678901234567890CACardiologist
United
99202$100.0012345678901234567890CACardiologist
United
99202$100.0012345678901234567890CACardiologist
United
99202$100.0012345678901234567890CACardiologist
United
99202$100.0012345678901234567890CACardiologist
United
99202$100.0012345678901234567890CACardiologist

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CPT 42720 vs. Other Surgical Procedures on the Digestive System Codes

The CPT 42720 code is part of the Surgery services used for Surgical Procedures on the Digestive System. It represents a moderate-complexity encounter and is one of several codes that vary based on time spent, level of medical decision-making, and documentation requirements.

The CPT 42720 code involves more provider time and moderate medical decision-making, unlike lower-level codes that require less time and simpler assessments. It typically includes multiple diagnoses, medication management, or test interpretation, leading to higher reimbursement and more detailed documentation requirements.

CodeComplexityDescription
42700-CPTModerateI&D Abscess Peritonsilar
42720-CPTModerateI & D Abscess; Retro/Para Pharyngeal, In
42725-CPTHighI&D Absc Retro/Parapharyngeal Ext
42815-CPTModerateExc Branchial Cleft Cyst Deep

What is a fee schedule?

A fee schedule is a list of fixed prices that healthcare providers charge for specific services, including CPT 42720. These prices vary depending on payer type (Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance), geographic location, and provider contracts.

Understanding the 42720 fee schedule helps patients estimate costs and providers optimize billing for accurate reimbursements.

Factors that affect fee schedules


Medicare & Medicaid Rates

Government-set reimbursement amounts


Private Insurance Rates

Negotiated rates between providers and insurance companies


Geographic Location

Costs may be higher in urban areas.


Provider Type

Hospital providers may have different rates than private practice.

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