Summary & Overview
CPT 47544: Percutaneous Biliary/Gallbladder Stone Removal, Image-Guided
CPT code 47544 covers percutaneous, image-guided removal of calculi from the biliary ducts and/or gallbladder, often performed by interventional radiology using fluoroscopic guidance and radiological supervision and interpretation. Nationally, this procedure is an important minimally invasive alternative to open or laparoscopic approaches for selected patients with biliary obstruction or retained stones, affecting hospital outpatient and interventional radiology service lines.
Key payers in the analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. The publication summarizes coverage and reimbursement patterns across major commercial payers and Medicare, benchmarks for utilization in hospital outpatient settings, and relevant clinical context including typical indications and imaging requirements.
Readers will find an overview of the clinical procedure and site-of-service implications, payer coverage considerations and common modifiers used with the code, and context on how CPT code 47544 integrates with interventional radiology service lines. Data gaps in specific taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, and related codes are noted as unavailable in the input.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 47544 describes a percutaneous transhepatic biliary procedure in which the provider inserts a catheter through the skin and removes debris or stonelike material (calculi) from the biliary ducts and/or gallbladder. The procedure can include methods to fragment or destroy gallstones and is performed under image guidance, such as fluoroscopy, with radiological supervision and interpretation.
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Service type: Image-guided percutaneous biliary/gallbladder stone removal
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Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient department or interventional radiology suite, often with access to fluoroscopic imaging and postoperative observation
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 62-year-old female with a history of symptomatic choledocholithiasis presents with right upper quadrant pain, fever, jaundice, and abnormal liver function tests consistent with ascending cholangitis. After initial stabilization with intravenous fluids and antibiotics, imaging (ultrasound and/or CT) demonstrates dilated intrahepatic and extrahepatic biliary ducts with suspected retained biliary calculi. The interventional radiology team schedules a percutaneous transhepatic biliary stone removal under conscious sedation or monitored anesthesia care. The provider obtains percutaneous access to the biliary tree using image guidance (fluoroscopy) and inserts a catheter through a small skin incision. Using catheters, balloons, baskets, or lithotripsy as indicated, the provider fragments and/or extracts biliary calculi and clears obstructing debris. Fluoroscopic guidance and radiological supervision and interpretation are performed throughout. Postprocedure, the patient is observed in a recovery area; biliary drainage may be left temporarily (external/internal drain) with instructions for follow-up imaging and possible definitive cholecystectomy depending on clinical course.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | When billing only the physician’s interpretation/supervision portion separate from technical component |