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    OpenPayerBilling CodesEndoscopy Procedures on the RectumCPT cpt-45346-flexible-sigmoidoscopy-with-lesion-ablation
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    CPT 45346: Flexible Sigmoidoscopy with Lesion Ablation

    Medicare pays $2610 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 45346 describes a diagnostic and therapeutic flexible sigmoidoscopy in which the provider examines the sigmoid colon and performs ablation of a polyp, tumor, or other lesion; the service typically includes any necessary predilation or postdilation and may include passage for a guide wire. Service type: endoscopic sigmoidoscopy with lesion ablation. Typical site of service: ambulatory surgery center, hospital outpatient department, or endoscopy suite where flexible endoscopic procedures are performed.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) Coverage Policy, Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation for the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Fecal Analysis in the Diagnosis of Intestinal Dysbiosis and Fecal Microbiota Transplant Testing.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 58-year-old patient presents to a gastroenterology ambulatory endoscopy suite with intermittent left lower quadrant cramping and new bright red blood per rectum. After evaluation in clinic, a diagnostic flexible sigmoidoscopy is scheduled to evaluate the distal colon. During the procedure the gastroenterologist visualizes a 1.5 cm sessile polyp in the sigmoid colon and performs endoscopic ablation. The encounter includes pre-procedure assessment, conscious sedation administered by anesthesia personnel when applicable, performance of the flexible sigmoidoscopy with lesion ablation, possible predilation or postdilation if a stricture is encountered, passage of a guide wire if required for adjunctive devices, and recovery in the endoscopy recovery area. Typical sites of service are an outpatient hospital endoscopy unit or an ambulatory surgical center. Usual workflow: clinic evaluation and consent → pre-procedure evaluation and sedation planning → procedure (flexible sigmoidoscopy with lesion ablation) → post-procedure monitoring and discharge instructions.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    45346Flexible sigmoidoscopy with ablation of tumor(s), polyp(s), or other lesion(s)Primary procedure: diagnostic/therapeutic evaluation of sigmoid colon with endoscopic ablation.
    45378Colonoscopy, flexible; diagnostic, including collection of specimen(s) by brushing or washing, when performed (separate from biopsy)Performed when full colon evaluation is indicated or if lesion requires full colonoscopy for access.
    45380Colonoscopy, flexible; with biopsy, single or multiplePerformed to obtain tissue sampling of suspicious lesions encountered during or instead of ablation.
    45385Colonoscopy, flexible; with removal of tumor(s), polyp(s), or other lesion(s) by snare techniqueAlternative therapeutic technique for polypectomy if snare removal is chosen rather than ablation.
    45331Sigmoidoscopy, rigid; proctosigmoidoscopy limitedMay be used in limited anatomic evaluations when flexible sigmoidoscopy is not performed or available.
    00740Anesthesia for lower abdominal procedures (if general or regional anesthesia is used)Billed when anesthesia services beyond monitored anesthesia care or sedation are provided during the procedure.

    Related Modifiers

    11 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    25CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…
    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…
    79Modifier 79 indicates a surgical procedure performed during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery that is unrelated to the original procedure. Per AMA/CPT and CMS guidance, it is…- Use modifier 79 when the same physician (or same‑specialty physician in the same group) performs a surgical procedure during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery and the new procedure…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…

    Showing 1–10 of 11

    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…
    2084P0800XPsychiatry PhysicianA Psychiatrist specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders, emotional disorders, psychotic disorders, mood disorders, …
    103TM1800XIntellectual & Developmental Disabilities PsychologistBehavioral Health & Social Service Providers · Psychologist
    261QI0500XInfusion Therapy Clinic/CenterAmbulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center
    282N00000XGeneral Acute Care HospitalAn acute general hospital is an institution whose primary function is to provide inpatient diagnostic and therapeutic services for a variety of medica…
    385H00000XRespite CareRespite Care Facility · Respite Care
    2279G1100XGeneral Care Registered Respiratory TherapistThis level of care includes diagnostics testing, therapeutics, monitoring, rehabilitation of patients with disorders of the cardiopulmonary system, as…

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Gastroenterology1 / 3

    7 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) Coverage Policyevicore2026-11-05
    Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation for the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    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
    Celiac Disease TestingOscar Health2026-10-01

    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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