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    OpenPayerBilling CodesIntroduction Procedures on the StomachCPT cpt-43754-diagnostic-gastric-lavage-specimen-collection
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    CPT 43754: Gastric Lavage with Aspiration for Laboratory Analysis

    Medicare pays $355 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 43754 describes insertion of a gastric tube to instill fluid for gastric lavage with suctioning of the washings and submission of the aspirate for laboratory analysis; this is an operative/diagnostic gastric lavage procedure typically performed in an inpatient hospital or emergency department setting when stomach contents require sampling or decontamination and laboratory evaluation is needed.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Prior Authorization/Notification - Weight Loss/Appetite Suppression Medication Coverage, Weight Loss - Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists - Foundayo, Weight Loss - Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists - Foundayo Benefit Exclusion Overrides Policy BMI ≥35.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 58-year-old inpatient with suspected upper gastrointestinal bleeding undergoes bedside gastric lavage. The provider inserts a nasogastric or orogastric tube into the stomach, instills sterile saline to irrigate the gastric contents, and suctions the effluent for gross inspection and laboratory testing (e.g., occult blood, cytology, microbiology). Typical indications include evaluation of hematemesis, melena, or assessment of gastric contents prior to endoscopy. The clinical workflow includes brief informed consent when appropriate, placement of the tube with verification of position (aspiration of gastric fluid or pH testing), instillation of aliquots of fluid, suction and collection of washings into appropriate containers, labeling and sending specimens to the laboratory, documentation of reason for procedure, volume instilled and recovered, patient tolerance, and any immediate complications such as epistaxis, aspiration, or oxygen desaturation. Procedure time is short and commonly performed in an emergency department, inpatient ward, or intensive care unit; the procedure may be performed by emergency physicians, hospitalists, intensivists, or trained nursing staff under protocol, with physician oversight when required.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    43239Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsy, single or multiplePerformed after gastric lavage when endoscopic evaluation for bleeding or pathology is indicated.
    43235Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, diagnostic, with or without collection of specimen(s) by brushing or washingDiagnostic endoscopy often follows lavage to visualize source of bleeding or obtain washings under direct visualization.
    36415Collection of venous blood by venipunctureCommonly performed concurrently for laboratory studies such as CBC, crossmatch, or coagulation tests in bleeding patients.
    99000Handling and/or conveyance of specimen for transfer from patient to laboratory (for hospital use)Used when documenting specimen handling related to gastric washings sent to the laboratory.
    96372Therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic injection (e.g., medication administration)May be used if medications (e.g., antiemetic, sedative) are administered as part of procedure preparation or patient management.

    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…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    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…
    63Modifier‑63 is appended to surgical CPT codes (20000–69990) when a procedure is performed on a neonate or infant weighing ≤ 4 kg (about 8.8 lbs). The AMA/AAPC definition specifies this use and notes…- Use modifier -63 only for surgical procedures in the CPT 20000–69990 series performed on a neonate or infant who weighs ≤ 4 kg at the time of the procedure; it indicates increased complexity due to…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    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 Code
    207P00000X
    208000000X
    2084P0800X
    3336C0002X
    363L00000X
    364SP0813X
    320800000X
    207ZP0104X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    29 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    A09Infectious gastroenteritis and colitis, unspecified
    C15.9Malignant neoplasm of esophagus, unspecified
    C16.9Malignant neoplasm of stomach, unspecified
    E86.0Dehydration
    E86.1Hypovolemia
    J69.0Pneumonitis due to inhalation of food and vomit
    K21.9Gastro-esophageal reflux disease without esophagitis
    K25.9Gastric ulcer, unspecified as acute or chronic, without hemorrhage or perforation
    K26.9Duodenal ulcer, unspecified as acute or chronic, without hemorrhage or perforation
    K27.9Peptic ulcer, site unspecified, unspecified as acute or chronic, without hemorrhage or perforation

    Showing 1–10 of 29

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Bariatric & Obesity Management1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Prior Authorization/Notification - Weight Loss/Appetite Suppression Medication CoverageColorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans2026-10-01
    Weight Loss - Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists - FoundayoCigna2026-09-01
    Weight Loss - Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists - Foundayo Benefit Exclusion Overrides Policy BMI ≥35Cigna2026-09-01
    Bariatric SurgeryPremera Bluecross2026-08-01
    Bariatric Surgery (for Kentucky Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Bariatric Surgery (for Nebraska Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Bariatric (weight loss) surgery — coverage criteriaPremera Bluecross2026-08-01
    MassHealth management of anti-obesity medicationswellsense_health_plan2026-07-03
    Metabolic and Bariatric Surgerycaresourcegeorgia2026-07-01
    Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery: Revisioncaresourcegeorgia2026-07-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-43752-NASOGASTRIC-OR-OROGASTRIC-TUBE-PLACEMENT-GASTRIC-ASPIRATION

    CPT 43752: Nasogastric/Orogastric Tube Placement for Gastric Aspiration

    CPT-43753-GASTRIC-INTUBATION-WITH-LAVAGE

    CPT 43753: Gastric Intubation with Lavage

    CPT-43755-GASTRIC-TUBE-INSERTION-AND-GASTRIC-SECRETION-TESTING

    CPT 43755: Gastric Acid Secretion Test via Gastric Tube

    CPT-43756-PROCEDURE-43756

    CPT 43756: Laparoscopic Removal of Adjustable Gastric Band

    CPT-43757-GASTROINTESTINAL-SURGICAL-PROCEDURE

    CPT 43757: Laparoscopic Gastrostomy or Jejunostomy Tube Placement

    CPT-43761-NASOGASTRIC-OR-OROGASTRIC-DUODENAL-FEEDING-TUBE-PLACEMENT

    CPT 43761: Nasogastric/Orogastric Enteric Tube Placement, Duodenal

    CPT-43762-GASTROSTOMY-TUBE-REMOVAL-AND-REPLACEMENT

    CPT 43762: Gastrostomy Tube Removal and Replacement without Imaging

    CPT-43763-GASTROSTOMY-TUBE-REVISION-AND-REPLACEMENT

    CPT 43763: Gastrostomy Tube Revision and Replacement

    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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