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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesOther Procedures on the LiverCPT cpt-47381-open-liver-cryoablation
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    CPT 47381: Open Cryosurgical Ablation of Liver Tumors

    Medicare pays $1391 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 47381 describes open cryosurgical ablation of one or more liver tumors, a surgical ablative procedure (cryoablation) performed via an open abdominal approach; service type: surgical tumor ablation; typical site of service: inpatient or outpatient hospital operating room or surgical suite for open hepatic surgery.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Surgical Procedures, Outpatient Surgical Procedures - Site of Service, Site of Service Ambulatory Service Center (ASC) Select — Surgical or Diagnostic Procedures in Adults.

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    Table of contents

    Progress1 / 7

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 62-year-old patient with a history of colorectal cancer presents with one or more metastatic hepatic lesions identified on imaging (contrast-enhanced CT or MRI). The multidisciplinary tumor board recommends surgical management because lesions are accessible via laparotomy and the patient is an appropriate operative candidate. In the operating room under general anesthesia, the surgical team performs an open hepatic cryoablation: after laparotomy and mobilization of the liver, intraoperative ultrasound localizes the tumors, cryoprobes are placed into each lesion, and freeze–thaw cycles are performed to achieve tumor necrosis. Hemostasis is confirmed, and the abdomen is closed. Typical perioperative workflow includes preoperative imaging and labs, anesthesia evaluation, intraoperative ultrasound guidance, placement of cryotherapy probes through the open incision, intraoperative pathology consultation if needed, and postoperative monitoring on a surgical ward or step-down unit. This procedure is coded with 47381 for open cryosurgical ablation of one or more liver tumors and is typically performed in an inpatient hospital setting or an ambulatory surgery center when admission is not required. Common clinical indications include primary hepatocellular carcinoma not amenable to resection, solitary or limited liver metastases (for example from colorectal primaries), and palliative control of symptomatic hepatic tumors.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    76942Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement (eg, for biopsy, aspiration, injection, or ablation)Often used intraoperatively or preoperatively for localization and guiding probe placement for liver lesion targeting.
    47120Hepatectomy, partial; lobectomyMay be performed instead of or in combination with 47381 when resection is feasible; represents an alternative definitive surgical treatment.
    49799Unlisted procedure, abdomen, peritoneum and omentumOccasionally reported for novel or unlisted adjunct intra-abdominal procedures performed during the same operative session.
    76937Guidance for ablation probe placement (CT or ultrasound); percutaneousUsed when ablation probe placement is performed percutaneously with image guidance during the same episode of care; relates to non-open approaches complementary to cryoablation.
    49422Peritoneal drainage, open (separate procedure)May be billed if intra-abdominal drainage is performed in the same operative setting for management of fluid collections or ascites.

    Related Modifiers

    6 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…
    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…
    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…
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207L00000X
    2080P0208X
    207RH0000X
    208000000X
    193200000X
    207RI0001X
    224ZR0403X
    2080P0006X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    26 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    B18.1Chronic viral hepatitis B without delta-agent
    B18.2Chronic viral hepatitis C
    C22.0Liver cell carcinoma
    C22.1Intrahepatic bile duct carcinoma
    C22.2Hepatoblastoma
    C22.3Angiosarcoma of liver
    C22.4Other sarcomas of liver
    C22.7Other specified carcinomas of liver
    C22.8Malignant neoplasm of liver, primary, unspecified as to type
    C22.9Malignant neoplasm of liver, not specified as primary or secondary

    Showing 1–10 of 26

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: General Surgery1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Surgical ProceduresUnitedHealthcare2026-09-01
    Outpatient Surgical Procedures - Site of ServiceUnitedHealthcare2026-09-01
    Site of Service Ambulatory Service Center (ASC) Select — Surgical or Diagnostic Procedures in AdultsPremera Bluecross2026-09-01
    Site of Service Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Select — Surgical or Diagnostic Procedures in AdultsPremera Bluecross2026-09-01
    Site of Service Ambulatory Service Center (ASC) SelectPremera Bluecross2026-09-01
    Site of Service Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Select — Site of Service for Ambulatory Surgical Procedures (ASC Select)Premera Bluecross2026-09-01
    Site of Service Ambulatory Service Center (ASC) SelectPremera Bluecross2026-09-01
    Outpatient Surgical Procedures - Site of Servicesierra health and life2026-08-01
    Medical Necessity Guidelines — Inpatient Surgical CareMass General Brigham Health Plan2026-08-01
    Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) - Site of Care PolicyKaiser Permanente2026-08-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-47380-OPEN-RADIOFREQUENCY-ABLATION-LIVER

    CPT 47380: Open Radiofrequency Ablation of Liver Tumor

    CPT-47382-PERCUTANEOUS-RADIOFREQUENCY-ABLATION-LIVER-TUMOR

    CPT 47382: Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation of Liver Tumors

    CPT-47383-PERCUTANEOUS-LIVER-CRYOABLATION

    CPT 47383: Percutaneous Cryoablation of Liver Tumor(s)

    CPT-47384-IRREVERSIBLE-ELECTROPORATION-LIVER-TUMOR-ABLATION-PERCUTANEOUS

    CPT 47384: Percutaneous Irreversible Electroporation Ablation of Liver Tumor(s)

    CPT-47399-UNLISTED-LIVER-PROCEDURE

    CPT 47399: Unlisted Procedure, Liver

    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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