A colonoscopy is an essential diagnostic procedure performed to visually examine the interior lining of the colon or large intestine. This examination assists in the detection and diagnosis of various conditions, such as colorectal cancer, polyps, ulcers, and inflammations, thereby facilitating effective treatment plans.
There are 25 distinctive CPT codes associated with colonoscopies. These codes differentiate the diverse forms of colonoscopy procedures and the specific methods employed during each. Let’s delve into the specifics:
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 44388 | Colonoscopy through stoma; diagnostic, including collection of specimen(s) by brushing or washing, when performed (separate procedure) |
| 44389 | Colonoscopy through stoma; with biopsy, single or multiple |
| 44390 | Colonoscopy through stoma; with removal of foreign body(s) |
| 44391 | Colonoscopy through stoma; with control of bleeding, any method |
| 44392 | Colonoscopy through stoma; with removal of tumor(s), polyp(s), or other lesion(s) by hot biopsy forceps |
| 44394 | Colonoscopy through stoma; with removal of tumor(s), polyp(s), or other lesion(s) by snare technique |
| 44401 | Colonoscopy through stoma; with ablation of tumor(s), polyp(s), or other lesion(s) (includes pre- and post-dilation and guide wire passage, when performed) |
| 44402 | Colonoscopy through stoma; with endoscopic stent placement (including pre- and post-dilation and guide wire passage, when performed) |
| 44404 | Colonoscopy through stoma; with directed submucosal injection(s), any substance |
| 44405 | Colonoscopy through stoma; with transendoscopic balloon dilation |
| 44406 | Colonoscopy through stoma; with endoscopic ultrasound examination, limited to the sigmoid, descending, transverse, or ascending colon and cecum and adjacent structures |
| 44407 | Colonoscopy through stoma; with transendoscopic ultrasound guided intramural or transmural fine needle aspiration/biopsy(s), includes endoscopic ultrasound examination limited to the sigmoid, descending, transverse, or ascending colon and cecum and adjacent structures |
| 45378 | Colonoscopy, flexible; diagnostic, including collection of specimen(s) by brushing or washing, when performed (separate procedure) |
| 45379 | Colonoscopy, flexible; with removal of foreign body(s) |
| 45380 | Colonoscopy, flexible; with biopsy, single or multiple |
| 45381 | Colonoscopy, flexible; with directed submucosal injection(s), any substance |
| 45382 | Colonoscopy, flexible; with control of bleeding, any method |
| 45384 | Colonoscopy, flexible; with removal of tumor(s), polyp(s), or other lesion(s) by hot biopsy forceps |
| 45385 | Colonoscopy, flexible; with removal of tumor(s), polyp(s), or other lesion(s) by snare technique |
| 45386 | Colonoscopy, flexible; with transendoscopic balloon dilation |
| 45388 | Colonoscopy, flexible; with ablation of tumor(s), polyp(s), or other lesion(s) (includes pre- and post-dilation and guide wire passage, when performed) |
| 45389 | Colonoscopy, flexible; with endoscopic stent placement (includes pre- and post-dilation and guide wire passage, when performed) |
| 45391 | Colonoscopy, flexible; with endoscopic ultrasound examination limited to the rectum, sigmoid, descending, transverse, or ascending colon and cecum, and adjacent structures |
| 45392 | Colonoscopy, flexible; with transendoscopic ultrasound guided intramural or transmural fine needle aspiration/biopsy(s), includes endoscopic ultrasound examination limited to the rectum, sigmoid, descending, transverse, or ascending colon and cecum, and adjacent structures |
| 45393 | Colonoscopy, flexible; with decompression (for pathologic distention) (eg, volvulus, megacolon), including placement of decompression tube, when performed |
By correctly using these codes, healthcare professionals can efficiently communicate the specific services provided during a colonoscopy, thus promoting accurate documentation, reimbursement, and patient care.