ICD-10-PCS Code For Gallbladder: Procedure Code Group Overview

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS) code group BF12 includes procedures performed to image the gallbladder using fluoroscopy in the hepatobiliary system and pancreas. These ICD-10-PCS codes are used for inpatient documentation when real-time fluoroscopic visualization of the gallbladder is performed for diagnostic or procedural guidance. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-PCS BF12 group is essential for proper inpatient reimbursement, as it captures the specific imaging procedure performed and supports clinical documentation accuracy.

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Gallbladder Fluoroscopy Procedure Overview

This procedure group includes fluoroscopic imaging of the gallbladder, a part of the hepatobiliary system and pancreas, using real-time display of images developed from external ionizing radiation. Procedures capture dynamic radiographic visualization on a fluorescent screen and may store images digitally or analogously. Accurate ICD-10-PCS coding for these fluoroscopy procedures is important for inpatient reimbursement because it documents the imaging modality and targeted organ, supporting correct case mix and payment.

Code Attributes

Character	ICD-10-PCS Category	Code Group Details
B	Section	Imaging
F	Body System	Hepatobiliary System and Pancreas
1	Operation	Fluoroscopy
2	Body Part	Gallbladder

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ICD-10-PCS Code For Gallbladder: Procedure Code Group Overview

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Gallbladder Fluoroscopy Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

Character	ICD-10-PCS Category	Code Group Details
B	Section	Imaging
F	Body System	Hepatobiliary System and Pancreas
1	Operation	Fluoroscopy
2	Body Part	Gallbladder

When to Use

Use codes from this group when fluoroscopic imaging is performed on the gallbladder for diagnostic assessment or to guide an interventional procedure. These codes apply when the image is acquired from external ionizing radiation and displayed in real time, regardless of whether images are stored.

ICD-10-PCS Codes

3 rows

ICD-10-PCS Code	Description
BF120ZZ	Fluoroscopy of Gallbladder using High Osmolar Contrast
BF121ZZ	Fluoroscopy of Gallbladder using Low Osmolar Contrast
BF12YZZ	Fluoroscopy of Gallbladder using Other Contrast

Typical Clinical Scenarios

A 58-year-old patient is admitted with acute right upper quadrant pain, fever, and jaundice suspicious for acute cholecystitis with possible bile leak after recent traumatic injury; inpatient management requires real-time fluoroscopic imaging to assess gallbladder opacification and biliary anatomy while contrast is injected to identify leaks or obstruction. Fluoroscopy is performed during diagnostic cholangiography in the inpatient setting to guide further intervention. Typical codes: BF120ZZ, BF121ZZ
An elective inpatient admission for percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography in a patient with chronic biliary colic and prior complex biliary surgery where detailed fluoroscopic visualization of the gallbladder and cystic duct is needed to plan definitive surgical or endoscopic therapy; the procedure captures dynamic imaging with contrast to delineate anatomy altered by prior operations. Fluoroscopy is used to obtain real-time images during contrast injection to inform decision-making. Typical codes: BF121ZZ, BF12YZZ
A patient develops postoperative concern for retained gallstones and suspected bile duct obstruction after recent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, presenting with persistent pain and abnormal liver tests; inpatient fluoroscopic imaging with contrast is performed to evaluate the remnant gallbladder/cystic duct stump or biliary tree for obstruction or residual stones and to guide possible endoscopic or percutaneous intervention. Real-time fluoroscopy documents contrast flow and dynamic filling defects. Typical codes: BF120ZZ, BF12YZZ

Related Codes

BF10-BILE-DUCTS-FLUOROSCOPY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Bile Ducts: Procedure Code Group Overview

BF11-BILIARY-AND-PANCREATIC-DUCTS-FLUOROSCOPY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Biliary And Pancreatic Ducts: Procedure Code Group Overview

BF13-GALLBLADDER-AND-BILE-DUCTS-FLUOROSCOPY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Gallbladder And Bile Ducts: Procedure Code Group Overview

BF14-GALLBLADDER-BILE-DUCTS-FLUOROSCOPY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Gallbladder, Bile Ducts And Pancreatic Ducts: Procedure Code Group Overview

BF15-LIVER-FLUOROSCOPY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Liver: Procedure Code Group Overview

BF18-PANCREATIC-DUCTS-FLUOROSCOPY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Pancreatic Ducts: Procedure Code Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

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When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

3 rows

ICD-10-PCS Code	Description
BF120ZZ	Fluoroscopy of Gallbladder using High Osmolar Contrast
BF121ZZ	Fluoroscopy of Gallbladder using Low Osmolar Contrast
BF12YZZ	Fluoroscopy of Gallbladder using Other Contrast

Typical Clinical Scenarios

A 58-year-old patient is admitted with acute right upper quadrant pain, fever, and jaundice suspicious for acute cholecystitis with possible bile leak after recent traumatic injury; inpatient management requires real-time fluoroscopic imaging to assess gallbladder opacification and biliary anatomy while contrast is injected to identify leaks or obstruction. Fluoroscopy is performed during diagnostic cholangiography in the inpatient setting to guide further intervention. Typical codes: BF120ZZ, BF121ZZ
An elective inpatient admission for percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography in a patient with chronic biliary colic and prior complex biliary surgery where detailed fluoroscopic visualization of the gallbladder and cystic duct is needed to plan definitive surgical or endoscopic therapy; the procedure captures dynamic imaging with contrast to delineate anatomy altered by prior operations. Fluoroscopy is used to obtain real-time images during contrast injection to inform decision-making. Typical codes: BF121ZZ, BF12YZZ
A patient develops postoperative concern for retained gallstones and suspected bile duct obstruction after recent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, presenting with persistent pain and abnormal liver tests; inpatient fluoroscopic imaging with contrast is performed to evaluate the remnant gallbladder/cystic duct stump or biliary tree for obstruction or residual stones and to guide possible endoscopic or percutaneous intervention. Real-time fluoroscopy documents contrast flow and dynamic filling defects. Typical codes: BF120ZZ, BF12YZZ

Related Codes

BF10-BILE-DUCTS-FLUOROSCOPY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Bile Ducts: Procedure Code Group Overview

BF11-BILIARY-AND-PANCREATIC-DUCTS-FLUOROSCOPY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Biliary And Pancreatic Ducts: Procedure Code Group Overview

BF13-GALLBLADDER-AND-BILE-DUCTS-FLUOROSCOPY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Gallbladder And Bile Ducts: Procedure Code Group Overview

BF14-GALLBLADDER-BILE-DUCTS-FLUOROSCOPY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Gallbladder, Bile Ducts And Pancreatic Ducts: Procedure Code Group Overview

BF15-LIVER-FLUOROSCOPY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Liver: Procedure Code Group Overview

BF18-PANCREATIC-DUCTS-FLUOROSCOPY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Pancreatic Ducts: Procedure Code Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

ICD-10-PCS Code For Gallbladder: Procedure Code Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Gallbladder: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Gallbladder Fluoroscopy Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

ICD-10-PCS Code For Gallbladder: Procedure Code Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Gallbladder: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Gallbladder Fluoroscopy Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which procedures are included in the BF12 ICD-10-PCS code group?

What is the clinical purpose of procedures coded in BF12?

Which body system and operation do BF12 codes represent in ICD-10-PCS?

How do the individual BF12 codes differ from one another?

Why is accurate coding within the BF12 group important for inpatient documentation?

References

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which procedures are included in the BF12 ICD-10-PCS code group?

What is the clinical purpose of procedures coded in BF12?

Which body system and operation do BF12 codes represent in ICD-10-PCS?

How do the individual BF12 codes differ from one another?

Why is accurate coding within the BF12 group important for inpatient documentation?

References