CPT code 46045 represents transanal incision and drainage of a rectal or perirectal abscess performed under anesthesia. This is an acute surgical procedure used to evacuate pus and control local infection, and it has implications for hospital and ambulatory surgical utilization, perioperative care requirements, and coding accuracy for postoperative global periods. Nationally, accurate coding of this procedure affects reimbursements, quality tracking for abscess management, and resource planning for operating room time and anesthesia services.

Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise review of clinical context for the procedure, typical sites of service, and the types of benchmarks and policy items that commonly accompany analyses of surgical drainage procedures—such as utilization benchmarks, billing practice considerations, and relevant coverage policy themes. Where available, analyses typically cover payment benchmarks, global period implications, and common billing modifiers; if specific payer policy details are required, consult each payer directly.

This publication provides clinicians, practice managers, and coding professionals with an operational summary of CPT code 46045, highlights of why precise reporting matters at a national level, and an outline of the topics addressed in the full guidance, including billing considerations, service line placement, and clinical context for abscess management.