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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesEndoscopic Stomal ProceduresCPT cpt-44388-colonoscopy-via-colostomy-stoma-surveillance
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    CPT 44388: Colonoscopy Through Colostomy Stoma for Evaluation

    Medicare pays $275 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 44388 describes a colonoscopic examination of the remaining colon performed through a previously created colostomy stoma to inspect for recurrent disease and obtain specimens by brushing or washing for cytologic or laboratory analysis; service type: diagnostic endoscopic procedure (colonoscopy via stoma); typical site of service: outpatient endoscopy suite, ambulatory surgery center, or hospital outpatient department.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Diabetic Supplies, Radiofrequency Ablation for Thyroid Nodules, Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Insulin Delivery for Managing Diabetes (for Idaho Only).

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 62-year-old male with a history of sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma treated previously with partial colectomy and formation of a colostomy presents for surveillance evaluation. The patient reports no acute abdominal pain but notes changes in stoma output and occasional minor bleeding from around the stoma site. Prior pathology and imaging raised concern for local recurrence. The gastroenterology team schedules a diagnostic colostomy surveillance exam using a colonoscope inserted through the established colostomy stoma to inspect the remaining colon mucosa, identify any recurrent tumor or polyps, and obtain cytology specimens by brushing or irrigation of suspicious areas.

    The clinical workflow includes pre-procedure assessment and informed consent, medication reconciliation and bowel preparation as indicated, transport to an endoscopy suite or ambulatory surgery center, vital signs monitoring and sedation administration by an anesthesia or procedural sedation team as appropriate, insertion of a sterile colonoscope through the colostomy stoma for direct visualization, targeted brushing or washing of abnormal-appearing mucosa for cytology, documentation of findings and any complications, recovery and post-procedure discharge instructions, and submission of collected specimens to pathology/laboratory for cytologic analysis.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    Data not available in the input.Data not available in the input.Data not available in the input.
    Data not available in the input.Data not available in the input.Data not available in the input.
    Data not available in the input.Data not available in the input.Data not available in the input.

    Related Modifiers

    7 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    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…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    163WN0300X
    364SP0813X
    207KI0005X
    332H00000X
    2471M1202X
    347D00000X
    246ZE0600X
    364ST0500X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    25 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C18.9Malignant neoplasm of colon, unspecified
    C19Malignant neoplasm of rectosigmoid junction
    C20Malignant neoplasm of rectum
    D12.5Benign neoplasm of sigmoid colon
    D12.6Benign neoplasm of colon, unspecified
    K50.912Crohn's disease, unspecified, with intestinal obstruction
    K51.90Ulcerative colitis, unspecified, without complications
    K57.00Diverticulitis of small intestine with perforation and abscess without bleeding
    K57.10Diverticulosis of small intestine without perforation or abscess without bleeding
    K57.20Diverticulitis of large intestine with perforation and abscess without bleeding

    Showing 1–10 of 25

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Endocrinology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Diabetic SuppliesCigna2026-10-15
    Radiofrequency Ablation for Thyroid NodulesCigna2026-10-15
    Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Insulin Delivery for Managing Diabetes (for Idaho Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Insulin Delivery for Managing Diabetes (for Indiana Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Tzield (teplizumab-mzwv) CoverageUnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Medical Necessity Guidelines Insulin PumpsMass General Brigham Health Plan2026-10-01
    Medical Necessity Guidelines: Continuous Glucose MonitorsMass General Brigham Health Plan2026-10-01
    Continuous Glucose MonitoringAmbetter Nevada2026-10-01
    Salivary Hormone TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Bone Turnover Markers TestingOscar Health2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-44380-STOMAL-ILEOSCOPY-ENDOSCOPIC-ILEUM-EXAMINATION

    CPT 44380: Ileoscopy via Stoma with Brushings or Washings

    CPT-44381-ILEOSCOPY-THROUGH-STOMA-WITH-BALLOON-DILATION

    CPT 44381: Ileoscopy via Stoma with Endoscopic Balloon Dilation

    CPT-44382-ILEOSCOPY-THROUGH-STOMA-BIOPSY

    CPT 44382: Ileoscopy Through Stoma with Biopsy

    CPT-44384-ILEOSCOPY-WITH-STENT-PLACEMENT-THROUGH-STOMA

    CPT 44384: Ileoscopy with Endoscopic Stent Placement via Stoma

    CPT-44385-ILEAL-POUCH-ENDOSCOPIC-EVALUATION-WITH-BIOPSY-WASHINGS

    CPT 44385: Endoscopic Evaluation of Ileal Pouch with Brushings/Washings

    CPT-44386-ENDOSCOPIC-POUCHOSCOPY-WITH-BIOPSY

    CPT 44386: Endoscopic Examination of Ileal Pouch with Biopsy

    CPT-44389-STOMAL-COLONOSCOPY-WITH-BIOPSY

    CPT 44389: Endoscopic Colon Examination Through Stoma with Biopsy

    CPT-44390-COLONOSCOPY-THROUGH-COLOSTOMY-STOMA-FOREIGN-BODY-REMOVAL

    CPT 44390: Colonoscopy via Colostomy for Foreign Body Removal

    CPT-44391-COLONOSCOPY-VIA-COLOSTOMY-STOMA-THERAPEUTIC-EVALUATION

    CPT 44391: Colonoscopy via Colostomy Stoma with Hemostasis

    CPT-44392-COLONOSCOPY-THROUGH-COLOSTOMY-LESION-EXCISION

    CPT 44392: Colonoscopy via Colostomy Stoma with Polypectomy

    Showing 1–10 of 19

    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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