CPT code 43847 represents a complex bariatric operation: a gastric restrictive procedure with gastric bypass that includes small intestine reconstruction to treat severe obesity. This code is used for comprehensive surgical interventions that combine stomach reduction with intestinal rerouting to produce durable weight loss and metabolic benefits. Nationally, procedures represented by this code are significant because they address severe obesity and its related comorbidities, affecting utilization, surgical capacity, and payer coverage policies across commercial insurers and Medicare.

Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the clinical context for the procedure, typical sites of service, and a summary of what to expect in terms of claims coding and common modifiers. The publication also outlines benchmarks and policy-relevant issues such as inpatient versus outpatient site selection, coding clarity for complex reconstructive steps, and considerations payers commonly apply when reviewing bariatric surgery claims.

This piece is written for a national audience of clinicians, coding professionals, and policy analysts seeking a clear, practical summary of CPT code 43847, its clinical role in bariatric care, and the payer landscape relevant to coverage and claims processing.