Summary & Overview
CPT 47600: Cholecystectomy (Gallbladder Removal)
CPT code 47600 represents cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder to treat gallbladder disease such as symptomatic gallstones or cholecystitis. As a commonly performed general surgery procedure, this code is central to surgical care pathways for biliary disease and has implications for hospital and ambulatory surgical center utilization, perioperative policy, and national procedure volumes.
Key payers included in this analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a clinical context for the procedure, typical sites of service, and an overview of how the code is used across payers. The publication summarizes common modifiers associated with the procedure, discusses coding nuances that affect reimbursement and billing practice, and identifies areas where policy updates or payer-specific rules may affect claim adjudication.
This summary provides actionable reference material for billing professionals, hospital administrators, and policy analysts seeking a concise national overview of CPT code 47600, including benchmarks, coding considerations, and the clinical setting in which the procedure is typically performed. Data not available in the input.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 47600 describes a surgical procedure in which the provider removes the gallbladder, a small pear-shaped organ that lies behind the liver and stores bile, to treat gallbladder disease. This procedure is a definitive surgical treatment for symptomatic gallstones, cholecystitis, and other gallbladder disorders when removal is indicated.
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Service type: Surgical procedure (cholecystectomy)
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Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or ambulatory surgery center
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is a 45–65-year-old adult presenting with symptomatic gallbladder disease such as recurrent biliary colic, acute cholecystitis, chronic cholecystitis, or gallstone pancreatitis. The clinical workflow begins with outpatient evaluation by a primary care physician or gastroenterologist who documents right upper quadrant pain, nausea, and abnormal liver function tests. Diagnosis is confirmed with right upper quadrant ultrasound demonstrating cholelithiasis or gallbladder wall thickening. The patient is referred to a general surgeon for preoperative assessment, informed consent, and anesthesia evaluation.
On the day of surgery, a laparoscopic approach is typical in an ambulatory surgery center or hospital operating room under general endotracheal anesthesia. The procedure involves placement of trocars, visualization of Calot's triangle, dissection of the cystic duct and artery, ligation or clipping, and removal of the gallbladder. Intraoperative cholangiography may be performed if ductal stones or unclear anatomy are suspected. Specimens are sent to pathology when indicated. Postoperative recovery includes monitoring in the PACU, pain control, and discharge instructions; some patients require inpatient admission for complications or comorbidities.
Common payors for billing interactions include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, BUCA, and Medicare.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 |