February 16, 2017

Question:
What is the difference between 40761 and 40527? I’m confused.

Answer:
Here are the code descriptions with the major differences bolded.

40761: Plastic repair of cleft lip/nasal deformity; with cross lip pedicle flap (Abbe-Estlander type), including sectioning and inserting of pedicle.

40527: Excision of lip; full thickness, reconstruction with cross lip flap (Abbe-Estlander). So 40761 is used for only cleft lip/nasal deformity repair while 40527 is used for an excision procedure (e.g., cancer) with reconstruction.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 02/16/17.