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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesEnterostomy-External Fistulization of Intestines ProceduresCPT cpt-44300-open-enterostomy-feeding-tube-placement
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    CPT 44300: Open Enterostomy or Cecostomy Tube Placement

    Medicare pays $803 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 44300 describes an open surgical enterostomy or cecostomy procedure in which a tube is placed to create a small external stoma from the small intestine or cecum for direct enteral feeding or decompression of intestinal obstruction; service type: open surgical enterostomy/cecostomy, typical site of service: operating room or surgical suite in an inpatient or outpatient hospital setting.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation for Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders, Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) Coverage Policy, Radiofrequency Therapy for Fecal Incontinence.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient for 44300 is an adult admitted with gastric outlet obstruction, malignant bowel obstruction, or chronic intestinal dysmotility who requires decompression or direct enteral access. The patient often has nausea, vomiting, abdominal distention, or failure to tolerate oral intake. After conservative measures (nasogastric decompression, bowel rest, IV fluids) fail or are not appropriate, the surgical team recommends an open enterostomy tube placement to the small intestine or cecum for feeding or venting.

    The clinical workflow includes preoperative evaluation (history, focused abdominal exam, review of prior imaging such as CT abdomen/pelvis to confirm level of obstruction or anatomy), informed consent discussing enteral feeding versus decompression goals, perioperative antibiotics, and scheduling in an operating room. Under general anesthesia, the surgeon performs an open abdominal approach, identifies the target bowel segment (usually jejunum or cecum), creates an enterotomy, secures the bowel to the abdominal wall, and places a tube through a separate small incision with appropriate fixation. Postoperative care includes tube function verification (aspiration/flush, contrast study if indicated), initiation of feeding or venting as ordered, wound care, and patient/caregiver education on tube management.

    Typical site of service: inpatient operating room or ambulatory surgery center for stable elective cases. Service type: surgical — open enterostomy tube placement.

    A realistic scenario: An 68-year-old patient with recurrent small-bowel obstruction secondary to adhesive disease, persistent vomiting, and inadequate nutrition despite NG decompression is taken to the OR for placement of an open jejunostomy tube (44300) to provide post-operative enteral nutrition and relieve proximal pressure.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    49440Peritoneal drainage via catheter (e.g., percutaneous)May be performed prior to or instead of enterostomy for decompression or ascites management; used in differential procedural planning.
    43830Enterolysis, adhesiolysis; small intestineAdhesiolysis is commonly performed intraoperatively to free obstructed small bowel prior to placing an enterostomy tube.
    49406Placement of tunneled intraperitoneal catheter with subcutaneous portAlternative for long-term decompression or drainage when enterostomy not suitable.
    43246Endoscopic placement of gastrostomy tube, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG)Less invasive alternative for enteral access when anatomy and clinical condition permit; related as alternative approach.
    44301

    Related Modifiers

    12 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…
    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…
    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…
    79Modifier 79 indicates a surgical procedure performed during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery that is unrelated to the original procedure. Per AMA/CPT and CMS guidance, it is…- Use modifier 79 when the same physician (or same‑specialty physician in the same group) performs a surgical procedure during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery and the new procedure…
    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…
    81Modifier -81 indicates a physician served as a minimal assistant surgeon for part—not all—of an operative procedure. Use when a physician’s assisting role is limited and does not represent full…- Use CPT modifier -81 when a physician acts as a minimum assistant surgeon who assists during only part (a limited portion) of an operative procedure; append -81 to the primary surgical CPT code to…

    Showing 1–10 of 12

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207L00000X
    207K00000X
    207P00000X
    208000000X
    363L00000X
    207RM1200X
    246W00000X
    261QP2000X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    22 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C78.7Secondary malignant neoplasm of liver and intrahepatic bile duct
    E86.0Dehydration
    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
    K28.9Gastrojejunal ulcer, unspecified as acute or chronic, without hemorrhage or perforation
    K35.80Unspecified acute appendicitis
    K38.9Disease of appendix, unspecified
    K57.00Diverticulitis of small intestine with perforation and abscess without bleeding
    K57.20Diverticulitis of large intestine with perforation and abscess without bleeding

    Showing 1–10 of 22

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Gastroenterology1 / 4

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation for Functional Abdominal Pain Disordersbcbsvermont2026-12-01
    Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) Coverage Policyevicore2026-11-05
    Radiofrequency Therapy for Fecal IncontinenceCigna2026-10-15
    Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation for the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    High-Resolution Anoscopy (HRA)Premera Bluecross2026-10-01
    Gastroesophageal and Gastrointestinal (GI) Services and ProceduresColorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans2026-10-01
    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

    Related Codes

    CPT-44310-SMALL-INTESTINE-ENTEROSTOMY-LOOP-ILEUM-JEJUNUM

    CPT 44310: Ileostomy or Jejunostomy (Small Bowel Stoma)

    CPT-44312-STOMAL-ADHESIOLYSIS-RELEASE-ILEOSTOMY-STOMA

    CPT 44312: Release of Scar Tissue Around Ileostomy Stoma

    CPT-44314-ILEOSTOMY-STOMA-REVISION

    CPT 44314: Revision of Ileal Stoma (Stoma Relocation)

    CPT-44316-CREATION-OF-ILEAL-POUCH-STOMA

    CPT 44316: Creation of Abdominal Ileostomy Connected to Ileal Pouch

    CPT-44320-COLOSTOMY-CECOSTOMY-STOMA-CREATION

    CPT 44320: Colostomy/Stoma Formation, Loop Colostomy

    CPT-44322-COLOSTOMY-OR-CECOSTOMY-STOMA-CREATION-WITH-BIOPSY

    CPT 44322: Colostomy Creation with Intestinal Biopsy

    CPT-44340-STOMA-ADHESIOLYSIS-RELEASE-OF-PERISTOMAL-SCAR

    CPT 44340: Stoma Adhesiolysis (Release of Scar Tissue Around Colon Stoma)

    CPT-44345-COLOSTOMY-STOMA-RELOCATION-REVISION

    CPT 44345: Stomal Revision and Repositioning of Colon

    CPT-44346-COLOSTOMY-STOMA-REVISION

    CPT 44346: Colostomy (Stoma) Revision

    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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    Repair of enterostomy or revision
    May be performed later for tube complications, replacement, or site revision following initial 44300.