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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesEsophagoscopy ProceduresCPT cpt-43231-endoscopic-ultrasound-esophagus
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    CPT 43231: Endoscopic Ultrasound via Flexible Endoscope

    Medicare pays $141 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 43231 describes insertion of a flexible endoscope through the mouth into the esophagus with placement of an ultrasound transducer through the endoscope to perform endoscopic ultrasound (EUS); service type: diagnostic endoscopic ultrasound with transesophageal/transesophagogastric approach; typical site of service: hospital outpatient endoscopy suite or ambulatory surgery center where upper endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasound procedures are performed.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) Coverage Policy, Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation for the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Fecal Analysis in the Diagnosis of Intestinal Dysbiosis and Fecal Microbiota Transplant Testing.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 62-year-old male with progressive dysphagia and unexplained weight loss is referred for an endoscopic ultrasound. The gastroenterologist performs an upper endoscopy with a flexible endoscope introduced through the mouth into the esophagus, then advances an ultrasound transducer through the endoscope to obtain high-resolution sonographic images of the esophageal wall and adjacent mediastinal structures. Indications include evaluation of suspected esophageal cancer, staging of known esophageal or gastric malignancy, assessment of submucosal lesions, or sampling of suspicious lymph nodes via fine-needle aspiration if indicated. Typical workflow: pre-procedure history and consent, NPO status, moderate sedation or monitored anesthesia care, endoscopic insertion and EUS imaging +/- EUS-guided biopsy, post-procedure recovery and discharge with follow-up instructions. Typical site of service is an ambulatory endoscopy suite or hospital outpatient department staffed by a gastroenterologist and support personnel.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    43231Endoscopic ultrasound, esophagus, with ultrasound imaging, without biopsyPrimary code describing insertion of a flexible endoscope with ultrasound transducer into the esophagus for diagnostic EUS imaging
    43238EUS with transesophageal needle aspiration/biopsy, single or multiple lesionsPerformed when fine-needle aspiration of esophageal or mediastinal lesions is required during the same session
    43239EUS with transesophageal needle aspiration/biopsy, each additional lesionUsed when multiple separate lesions are sampled in addition to the primary aspiration
    43200Esophagoscopy, flexible, transoral; diagnostic, including collection of specimen(s) by brushing or washing, when performedMay be performed before or in conjunction with EUS for mucosal inspection and diagnostic sampling
    43235Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy including esophagus, stomach, and either the duodenum, diagnostic, with/without collection of specimen(s)Performed when a full upper endoscopic evaluation is indicated in addition to or instead of focused EUS

    Related Modifiers

    10 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    66Modifier 66 (Surgical Team) is used when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons on a single, highly complex procedure. The AMA defines it for use when a surgical team — often composed of…- Use modifier 66 when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons working collaboratively as a surgical team on a single, highly complex or difficult procedure (for example organ…
    73Modifier 73 indicates a facility-level outpatient hospital or ASC procedure that was discontinued after the patient was prepared and taken to the procedure/operating room but before any anesthesia…- When to use: Apply CPT modifier 73 on the FACILITY (outpatient hospital or ASC) claim when the patient has been fully prepared and physically taken into the procedure/operating room but the…
    74Modifier ‑74 indicates an outpatient hospital or ASC procedure that was discontinued after anesthesia was administered and after the procedure had begun. Use this modifier when anesthesia (local,…- Use modifier -74 when a procedure in an outpatient hospital or ASC setting is terminated after anesthesia has been administered and after the procedure has commenced (for example, after incision,…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207RH0000XHematology (Internal Medicine) PhysicianAn internist with additional training who specializes in diseases of the blood, spleen and lymph. This specialist treats conditions such as anemia, cl…
    208000000XPediatrics PhysicianA pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectru…
    207RC0000XCardiovascular Disease PhysicianAn internist who specializes in diseases of the heart and blood vessels and manages complex cardiac conditions such as heart attacks and life-threaten…
    364S00000XClinical Nurse SpecialistA registered nurse who, through a graduate degree program in nursing, or through a formal post-basic education program or continuing education courses…
    133V00000XRegistered DietitianA Registered Dietitian (RD)/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) is an individual uniquely trained in the science of nutrition and practice of diet…
    2278E0002XEmergency Care Certified Respiratory TherapistThe immediate availability of diagnostic and therapeutic cardiopulmonary services in the assessment and management of trauma victims, patients requiri…
    364SC1501XCommunity Health/Public Health Clinical Nurse SpecialistPhysician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Clinical Nurse Specialist
    2084A0401XAddiction Medicine (Psychiatry & Neurology) PhysicianA doctor of osteopathy board eligible/certified in the field of Psychiatry by the American Osteopathic Board of Neurology and Psychiatry is able to ob…

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Gastroenterology1 / 3

    7 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) Coverage Policyevicore2026-11-05
    Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation for the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Fecal Analysis in the Diagnosis of Intestinal Dysbiosis and Fecal Microbiota Transplant TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Serum Testing for Hepatic Fibrosis in the Evaluation and Monitoring of Chronic Liver DiseaseOscar Health2026-10-01
    Pancreatic Enzyme Testing for Acute PancreatitisOscar Health2026-10-01
    Helicobacter pylori TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Celiac Disease TestingOscar Health2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-43180-HYPOPHARYNGEAL-CERVICAL-ESOPHAGEAL-DIVERTICULECTOMY-ENDOSCOPIC

    CPT 43180: Rigid Esophagoscopy with Diverticulectomy and Cricopharyngeal Myotomy

    CPT-43191-RIGID-ESOPHAGOSCOPY-ORAL-ENDOSCOPE

    CPT 43191: Rigid Esophagoscopy with Brushing or Washing

    CPT-43192-ESOPHAGEAL-SUBMUCOSAL-INJECTION-RIGID-ENDOSCOPE

    CPT 43192: Esophageal Submucosal Injection via Rigid Endoscope

    CPT-43193-RIGID-ESOPHAGOSCOPY-WITH-BIOPSY

    CPT 43193: Rigid Esophagoscopy with Biopsy

    CPT-43194-RIGID-ESOPHAGOSCOPY-FOREIGN-BODY-REMOVAL

    CPT 43194: Rigid Esophagoscopy with Foreign Body Removal

    CPT-43195-ESOPHAGEAL-BALLOON-DILATION-RIGID-ENDOSCOPE

    CPT 43195: Esophageal Balloon Dilation via Rigid Endoscope

    CPT-43196-RIGID-ESOPHAGOSCOPY-DILATION-GUIDEWIRE-DILATORS

    CPT 43196: Rigid Esophagoscopy with Guidewire and Dilation

    CPT-43197-TRANSNASAL-FLEXIBLE-ESOPHAGOSCOPY-BRUSHING-WASHINGS

    CPT 43197: Flexible Transnasal Esophagoscopy with Brushing

    CPT-43198-FLEXIBLE-NASAL-ESOPHAGOSCOPY-WITH-BIOPSY

    CPT 43198: Transnasal Flexible Esophagoscopy with Biopsy

    CPT-43200-ESOPHAGOGASTRODUODENOSCOPY-BRUSHING-WASHING-CYTOLOGY

    CPT 43200: Endoscopic Brushing or Washing for Specimen Collection

    Showing 1–10 of 28

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 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. 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. 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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