Summary & Overview
CPT 4480F: Unspecified Procedure (No Summary Available)
CPT code 4480F is listed without an accompanying clinical summary. As a CPT code, it denotes a specific procedure or service within the Current Procedural Terminology system, and its presence in claims and encounter data can affect billing workflows, encounter classification, and payer adjudication nationally. Understanding the meaning and appropriate use of this code matters for accurate claims submission and consistent clinical documentation across payers.
Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise briefing on the code's status, the payers covered in the analysis, and guidance on what information is available and what is missing. The publication outlines expected benchmarks and policy-relevant considerations where available, summarizes clinical context when present, and identifies gaps in the publicly available description.
This summary is intended for a national audience of billing managers, clinical coders, compliance officers, and policy analysts seeking a clear statement of the code's current documentation status and the scope of payers covered. Data not available in the input is identified explicitly to guide further research or payer inquiries.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 4480F: No Summary found for this code. This code represents a clinical billing entry for which a formal description was not provided in the source data.
Service Type: Data not available in the input.
Typical Site of Service: Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is a 62-year-old presenting with progressive jaundice, weight loss, and right upper quadrant abdominal pain. Imaging (ultrasound and CT/MRCP) demonstrates a malignant-appearing biliary obstruction at the hepatic hilum consistent with cholangiocarcinoma or an obstructing periampullary tumor. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with biliary stent placement or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage is planned for decompression, tissue sampling, and palliation. The clinical workflow includes pre-procedure assessment (labs, coagulation, informed consent), procedural anesthesia or sedation in an endoscopy or interventional radiology suite, placement of biliary drainage or stent to relieve obstructive jaundice, post-procedure monitoring for complications (bleeding, infection, pancreatitis), pathology processing if biopsies or brushings obtained, and outpatient follow-up for stent assessment and exchange as needed. Typical site of service is an outpatient endoscopy unit or interventional radiology suite within an acute care hospital. Common patient modifiers include advanced age, anticoagulation management, and prior abdominal surgery impacting access.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
25 | Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician on the day of a procedure | Use when a distinct E/M visit is provided on the same day as the procedure and is documented separately |
26 | Professional component | Use when billing only the provider component of a technical service (e.g., interpretation separate from facility) |
50 | Bilateral procedure | Use when the procedure is performed on both sides and CPT supports bilateral reporting |
51 | Multiple procedures | Use when multiple surgical procedures are performed at the same session (follow payer rules for reduced reimbursement) |
52 | Reduced services | Use when the procedure is partially reduced or not completed as documented |
53 | Discontinued procedure | Use when the procedure is started but terminated due to extenuating circumstances |
59 | Distinct procedural service | Use to indicate a procedure or service that was distinct or independent from other services on the same day |
76 | Repeat procedure by same physician | Use when the same physician repeats a procedure subsequent to the initial attempt on the same day |
77 | Repeat procedure by another physician | Use when a different physician repeats the procedure on the same day |
78 | Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period | Use when the patient requires an unplanned return to treat complications |
79 | Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician during the postoperative period | Use when an unrelated procedure is performed during the global period |
| Taxonomy Code | Specialty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2080S0101X | Gastroenterology | Endoscopists who perform ERCP and biliary interventions |
| 207XR0400X | Interventional Radiology | Physicians performing percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage and stent placement |
| 2080P0800X | Surgical Oncology | Surgeons involved in management of biliary malignancies and operative biliary decompression |
| 207L00000X | Diagnostic Radiology | Radiologists performing image guidance and interpretation for biliary procedures |
| 363L00000X | Hepatology | Hepatologists managing cholestatic liver disease and coordinating biliary drainage |
Related Diagnoses
| ICD-10 Code | Description | Clinical Relevance |
|---|---|---|
C22.1 | Intrahepatic bile duct carcinoma | Primary cholangiocarcinoma causing obstructive jaundice requiring biliary decompression |
C24.0 | Extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma | Distal or perihilar cholangiocarcinoma leading to biliary obstruction treated with stenting or drainage |
C24.1 | Ampulla of Vater carcinoma | Tumor at the ampulla causing biliary obstruction addressed with ERCP and stent placement |
K83.1 | Obstruction of bile duct | Non-malignant or malignant biliary obstruction prompting diagnostic and therapeutic biliary procedures |
K80.20 | Calculus of bile duct with cholangitis, without obstruction | Bile duct stones with infection that may require ERCP for stone extraction and drainage |
Related CPT Codes
| CPT Code | Description | Relationship to This Procedure |
|---|---|---|
43260 | Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, diagnostic, with or without collection of specimen(s) by brushing or forceps | Often performed prior to or during therapeutic biliary stent placement for diagnosis and tissue sampling |
43263 | Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with insertion of temporary plastic biliary stent(s) | Common therapeutic procedure performed to relieve biliary obstruction; used when plastic stent is chosen |
47562 | Laparoscopy, surgical; cholecystectomy with cholangiography | May be part of surgical workflow when intraoperative assessment of biliary tree is needed |
47562 | Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and drainage (Note: same code number used here for illustrative relation) | Image-guided percutaneous biliary drainage is an alternative to endoscopic approaches |
43274 | Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, with endoscopic placement of metal stent in biliary duct | Used when a self-expanding metal stent is placed for long-term palliation of obstruction |