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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesEndoscopy Procedures on the RectumCPT cpt-45338-flexible-sigmoidoscopy-single-lesion-snare-removal
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    CPT 45338: Flexible Sigmoidoscopy with Single Lesion Snare Removal

    Medicare pays $348 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 45338 describes a flexible sigmoidoscopy procedure in which a provider examines the anus, rectum, and sigmoid colon using a flexible sigmoidoscope and removes a single tumor, polyp, or other lesion with a snare technique; service type: endoscopic therapeutic procedure; typical site of service: outpatient endoscopy suite or ambulatory surgical center (ASC).

    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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    • Billing CodesCPT, HCPCS, DRG & more
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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 58-year-old patient presents to an outpatient endoscopy suite with intermittent rectal bleeding and a positive fecal immunochemical test. The gastroenterologist reviews the history, obtains informed consent, and performs bowel preparation per protocol. Under moderate sedation in an ambulatory surgery center, the provider introduces a flexible sigmoidoscope to examine the anus, rectum, and sigmoid colon. During inspection, a single pedunculated polyp is identified in the sigmoid colon and removed using a snare technique with electrocautery. Specimens are retrieved for pathology, bleeding is controlled, and the patient is monitored in recovery before discharge with post-procedure instructions and pathology follow-up.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    45330Flexible sigmoidoscopy, diagnostic, with or without collection of specimen by brushing or washingPerformed when diagnostic exam without polypectomy is done; may precede a therapeutic 45338 if lesion absent
    45331Flexible sigmoidoscopy with biopsy, single or multipleUsed when biopsy is taken but no polypectomy/snare removal is performed; alternative to 45338 for sampling
    45333Flexible sigmoidoscopy with removal of tumor(s), polyp(s) or other lesion(s) by hot biopsy forcepsAlternative polypectomy technique for small lesions when snare is not used
    45338Flexible sigmoidoscopy with removal of tumor(s), polyp(s) or other lesion(s) by snare techniquePrimary procedure described; used for removal of single lesion with snare
    45339Flexible sigmoidoscopy with removal of tumor(s), polyp(s) or other lesion(s) by snare technique, complex (e.g., requiring submucosal injection, combined techniques)Used when snare polypectomy is technically complex or multiple techniques are required
    91010Collection and handling of specimen (example code; verify payer-specific code)Specimen retrieval and processing accompany polypectomy; check payer rules for billing

    Related Modifiers

    11 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…
    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…
    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…
    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,…
    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…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…

    Showing 1–10 of 11

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207U00000XNuclear Medicine PhysicianA nuclear medicine specialist employs the properties of radioactive atoms and molecules in the diagnosis and treatment of disease and in research. Rad…
    173F00000XSleep Specialist (PhD)Sleep medicine is a clinical specialty with a focus on clinical problems that require accurate diagnosis and treatment. The knowledge base of sleep me…
    2080P0008XPediatric Neurodevelopmental Disabilities PhysicianA pediatrician who specializes in the treatment of individuals with developmental delays and learning disorders associated with cerebral palsy, spina …
    1835P2201XAmbulatory Care PharmacistA licensed pharmacist who has demonstrated specialized knowledge and skill in the provision of integrated, accessible health care services by pharmaci…
    207QS0010XSports Medicine (Family Medicine) PhysicianA family medicine physician that is trained to be responsible for continuous care in the field of sports medicine, not only for the enhancement of hea…
    133NN1002XNutrition Education NutritionistDietary & Nutritional Service Providers · Nutritionist
    207LP2900XPain Medicine (Anesthesiology) PhysicianAn anesthesiologist who provides a high level of care, either as a primary physician or consultant, for patients experiencing problems with acute, chr…
    225XP0019XPhysical Rehabilitation Occupational TherapistOccupational therapists are experts at helping people lead as independent a life as possible. Occupational therapists bring an understanding of the p…

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    26 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C18.9Malignant neoplasm of colon, unspecified
    C19Malignant neoplasm of rectosigmoid junction
    C20Malignant neoplasm of rectum
    D01.0Carcinoma in situ of colon
    D12.6Benign neoplasm of colon, unspecified
    D12.7Benign neoplasm of rectosigmoid junction
    K50.90Crohn's disease, unspecified, without complications
    K51.90Ulcerative colitis, unspecified, without complications
    K52.9Noninfective gastroenteritis and colitis, unspecified
    K55.9Vascular disorder of intestine, unspecified

    Showing 1–10 of 26

    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-45300-PROCTOSIGMOIDOSCOPY-RIGID-DIAGNOSTIC

    CPT 45300: Diagnostic Proctosigmoidoscopy with Rigid Proctoscope

    CPT-45303-PROCTOSIGMOIDOSCOPY-WITH-STRICTURE-DILATION

    CPT 45303: Proctosigmoidoscopy with Stricture Dilation

    CPT-45305-PROCTOSIGMOIDOSCOPY-WITH-BIOPSY

    CPT 45305: Proctosigmoidoscopy with Biopsy

    CPT-45307-PROCTOSIGMOIDOSCOPY-LOWER-GI-ENDOSCOPY

    CPT 45307: Proctosigmoidoscopy of Rectum and Sigmoid Colon

    CPT-45308-PROCTOSIGMOIDOSCOPIC-LESION-REMOVAL

    CPT 45308: Proctosigmoidoscopy with Removal of Single Lesion

    CPT-45309-PROCTOSIGMOIDOSCOPY-SNARE-EXCISION-LESION

    CPT 45309: Proctosigmoidoscopy with Snare Polypectomy

    CPT-45315-PROCTOSIGMOIDOSCOPIC-POLYPECTOMY-MULTIPLE-LESIONS

    CPT 45315: Proctosigmoidoscopy with Multiple Lesion Removal

    CPT-45317-PROCTOSIGMOIDOSCOPY-WITH-HEMOSTASIS

    CPT 45317: Therapeutic Proctosigmoidoscopy for Hemorrhage Control

    CPT-45320-PROCTOSIGMOIDOSCOPIC-LESION-ABLATION

    CPT 45320: Proctosigmoidoscopic Ablation of Lesion

    CPT-45321-PROCTOSIGMOIDOSCOPIC-DECOMPRESSION-SIGMOID-VOLVULUS

    CPT 45321: Proctosigmoidoscopic Decompression of Volvulus

    Showing 1–10 of 39

    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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