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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesIntroduction Procedures on the Intestines (Except Rectum)CPT cpt-44500-long-intestinal-tube-placement-aspiration
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    CPT 44500: Enteric Tube Placement for Intestinal Decompression

    Medicare pays $17 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 44500 describes insertion of a long, flexible, double-lumen intestinal tube with a balloon tip advanced into the small intestine for temporary management of intestinal obstruction; this is a therapeutic decompression procedure typically performed as an endoscopic or fluoroscopically assisted enteric tube placement in an inpatient or procedural suite setting for nonoperative relief of bowel obstruction symptoms.

    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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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is an adult admitted to the hospital with symptoms of small-bowel obstruction — abdominal pain, vomiting, abdominal distension, and inability to pass flatus. Imaging (abdominal radiographs or CT scan) demonstrates dilated small bowel loops with air-fluid levels consistent with partial or complete obstruction. The surgical team elects temporary decompression with placement of a long, dual-channel, balloon-tipped intestinal tube to relieve proximal small-bowel distention, decompress the bowel, and allow for suction of accumulated fluid and air. The procedure is performed at the bedside in the medical ward or in the radiology suite under fluoroscopic guidance, or in the operating room if the patient is already scheduled for an abdominal operation. Conscious sedation or monitored anesthesia care may be used depending on patient status; the attending surgeon or gastroenterologist inserts the tube, advances it into the small intestine, inflates the balloon to help maintain position, and connects one channel to suction for aspiration. Post-placement, the patient is monitored for symptom improvement, tube position confirmed radiographically, and suction continued until obstruction resolves or further operative management is performed.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    74350Fluoroscopic guidance for tube or catheter placement; initial localization and subsequent motor/contrast injection as neededUsed when tube placement is performed under fluoroscopic guidance to confirm and direct advancement into the small intestine.
    49440Insertion of tunneled intraperitoneal catheter with subcutaneous port or pump (e.g., for peritoneal dialysis)Not directly the same procedure but may be performed in patients requiring long-term peritoneal access; listed as related when alternate catheter strategies are considered.
    43752Insertion of enteric tube, percutaneous, under fluoroscopic guidanceRelated for alternate enteric tube placements when a percutaneous approach is used instead of nasoenteric placement.
    49000Unlisted exploratory procedure, abdomen, peritoneum and omentumMay be used when an abdominal exploratory procedure is performed in conjunction with enteric tube placement and no specific code fits.
    92526Flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing by cine or video recording; with interpretation and reportRelated when endoscopic assistance is used to facilitate safe placement in patients with complex anatomy or aspiration risk.

    Related Modifiers

    12 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    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…
    51Modifier –51 (Multiple Procedures) is used when the same provider performs multiple procedures in the same session to identify secondary, non‑exempt procedures and indicate payment reduction logic…- Use modifier -51 when the same provider performs multiple distinct procedures during the same patient encounter: report the highest‑valued procedure first (no modifier) and append -51 to…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    74Modifier ‑74 indicates an outpatient hospital or ASC procedure that was discontinued after anesthesia was administered and after the procedure had begun. Use this modifier when anesthesia (local,…- Use modifier -74 when a procedure in an outpatient hospital or ASC setting is terminated after anesthesia has been administered and after the procedure has commenced (for example, after incision,…
    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…
    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…

    Showing 1–10 of 12

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207P00000X
    207K00000X
    207L00000X
    208000000X
    363LP0808X
    2471S1302X
    204F00000X
    261QM1000X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Gastroenterology1 / 3

    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

    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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