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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesEndoscopic Small Intestine ProceduresCPT cpt-44377-upper-gi-endoscopy-with-biopsy
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    CPT 44377: Upper GI Endoscopy with Biopsy

    Medicare pays $266 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 44377 describes an endoscopic visual examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract using a lighted endoscope, with inspection from the esophagus through the ileum and performance of one or more biopsies when suspicious lesions are identified; service type: diagnostic endoscopy with biopsy; typical site of service: outpatient endoscopy suite or hospital outpatient department.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) Coverage Policy, Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation for the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Serum Testing for Hepatic Fibrosis in the Evaluation and Monitoring of Chronic Liver Disease.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 58-year-old patient presents to the outpatient endoscopy unit with progressive dysphagia, intermittent upper abdominal pain, and unexplained iron-deficiency anemia. After pre-procedure evaluation, informed consent, and appropriate fasting, the patient is taken to the endoscopy suite. Under monitored anesthesia care, the gastroenterologist performs an upper endoscopic examination using a lighted flexible endoscope to evaluate the esophagus, stomach, and proximal small bowel up to the ileum when indicated. During inspection, the provider identifies an erythematous nodular lesion in the distal esophagus and obtains targeted mucosal biopsies for histopathologic analysis. The specimen is labeled and sent to pathology; intra-procedure documentation includes indications, findings, number and site of biopsies, any complications, estimated blood loss (if applicable), and disposition. Typical sites of service are the hospital outpatient department or ambulatory surgery center. The service type is diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsy, performed by a gastroenterologist or surgeon, with possible anesthesia support and pathology follow-up required for diagnostic interpretation.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    43235Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy including esophagus, stomach, and either the duodenum and/or jejunum, diagnostic, flexible, transoral; with biopsyAlternative diagnostic upper endoscopy code commonly used when biopsies are obtained in the proximal small bowel via transoral approach
    43239Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, flexible, transoral; with removal of foreign body(s)Performed when a foreign body is encountered and removed during the same endoscopic session
    43249Esophagoscopy, flexible, transoral; with biopsy, single or multipleRelated when the primary focus is esophageal evaluation and biopsy rather than the entire upper tract
    91110Gastrointestinal tract endoscopy, with collection of specimen(s) by brushing or washingMay be performed adjunctively for cytology or washings alongside mucosal biopsies
    76942Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement (eg, for endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration)Performed when endoscopic ultrasound with FNA is indicated to sample deeper lesions noted during endoscopy

    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…
    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…
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…
    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…
    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…
    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…

    Showing 1–10 of 12

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207RG0100XGastroenterology PhysicianAn internist who specializes in diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive organs including the stomach, bowels, liver and gallbladder. This…
    207RI0200XInfectious Disease PhysicianAn internist who deals with infectious diseases of all types and in all organ systems. Conditions requiring selective use of antibiotics call for this…
    207RH0002XHospice and Palliative Medicine (Internal Medicine) PhysicianAn internal medicine physician with special knowledge and skills to prevent and relieve the suffering experienced by patients with life-limiting illne…
    207XS0106XOrthopaedic Hand Surgery PhysicianAn orthopaedic surgeon trained in the investigation, preservation and restoration by medical, surgical and rehabilitative means of all structures of t…
    163WX1500XOstomy Care Registered NurseNursing Service Providers · Registered Nurse
    207QS1201XSleep Medicine (Family Medicine) PhysicianA Family Medicine Physician who practices Sleep Medicine is certified in the subspecialty of sleep medicine and specializes in the clinical assessment…
    1835P1400XPain Management PharmacistA licensed pharmacist who has demonstrated specialized knowledge and skills, providing integrated, comprehensive, and accessible healthcare services t…
    246Z00000XOther Specialist/TechnologistGeneral classification identifying individuals trained on specific equipment and technical procedures in one of a collection of miscellaneous healthca…

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Gastroenterology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) Coverage Policyevicore2026-11-05
    Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation for the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Serum Testing for Hepatic Fibrosis in the Evaluation and Monitoring of Chronic Liver DiseaseOscar Health2026-10-01
    Fecal Analysis in the Diagnosis of Intestinal Dysbiosis and Fecal Microbiota Transplant TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Pancreatic Enzyme Testing for Acute PancreatitisOscar Health2026-10-01
    Helicobacter pylori TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Celiac Disease TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Laboratory Testing for the Diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel DiseaseOscar Health2026-10-01
    Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation (PENFS)Cigna2026-09-15
    Colorectal Cancer ScreeningBlue Cross Blue Shield - New Mexico2026-09-04

    Related Codes

    CPT-44360-UPPER-SMALL-BOWEL-ENDOSCOPY-JEJUNUM-BRUSHING

    CPT 44360: Endoscopic Exam of Duodenum and Jejunum with Brushing

    CPT-44361-ENDOSCOPY-PROXIMAL-SMALL-INTESTINE-BIOPSY

    CPT 44361: Endoscopy Beyond Second Duodenum with Biopsy

    CPT-44363-ENDOSCOPIC-JEJUNAL-INTUBATION-FOREIGN-BODY-REMOVAL

    CPT 44363: Endoscopy of Duodenum and Jejunum with Foreign Body Removal

    CPT-44364-SMALL-BOWEL-ENDOSCOPY-SNARE-POLYPECTOMY

    CPT 44364: Small-Bowel Enteroscopy with Snare Polypectomy

    CPT-44365-SMALL-INTESTINE-ENDOSCOPY-LESION-REMOVAL

    CPT 44365: Endoscopy Beyond Second Duodenum with Hot Biopsy or Bipolar Cautery

    CPT-44366-UPPER-SMALL-BOWEL-ENDOSCOPY-HEMOSTASIS

    CPT 44366: Endoscopic Small-Bowel Exam Beyond Duodenum with Hemostasis

    CPT-44369-ENDOSCOPIC-LASER-RADIOFREQUENCY-ABLATION-SMALL-BOWEL

    CPT 44369: Endoscopic Small Bowel Laser/Radiofrequency Ablation

    CPT-44370-UPPER-GI-ENDOSCOPY-DILATION-STENT-PLACEMENT

    CPT 44370: Endoscopic Dilation and Stent Placement in Upper GI

    CPT-44372-ENDOSCOPIC-JEJUNAL-FEEDING-TUBE-PLACEMENT

    CPT 44372: Endoscopic Jejunostomy Tube Placement

    CPT-44373-GASTROSTOMY-TO-JEJUNOSTOMY-CONVERSION-ENDOSCOPIC

    CPT 44373: Conversion of Gastrostomy Tube to Jejunostomy via Abdominal Approach

    Showing 1–10 of 13

    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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