CPT code 44160 represents an open surgical resection of the terminal ileum and proximal colon with anastomosis. This code is used to capture major abdominal bowel surgery where both small and large bowel segments are removed and reconnected. It is clinically significant because these procedures are central to management of conditions such as Crohn disease, neoplasm, ischemia, and traumatic injury, and they carry substantial implications for hospital resource use, perioperative care, and postoperative recovery.

Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a national perspective on clinical context and coding definition, payer coverage considerations, and operational implications for billing and inpatient surgical services. The publication outlines benchmarks and common modifiers where available, summarizes clinical scenarios that commonly generate the code, and highlights areas where policy updates or payer-specific rules may affect claim adjudication.

This summary is intended for coding professionals, surgical administrators, and policy analysts seeking a concise, national-level briefing on the clinical and billing significance of 44160. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable in supporting sections.