CPT code 48548 denotes a pancreatic-enteric drainage procedure in which a surgical opening is created between the pancreas and the jejunum to reestablish pancreatic fluid drainage, most commonly performed for chronic pancreatitis or other obstructive pancreatic disease. This code is nationally relevant due to its association with complex abdominal surgery, inpatient resource use, and postoperative care pathways that affect hospital utilization and payer coverage decisions.

Key payers addressed in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise clinical description, typical sites of service, and the service type to frame utilization. The publication covers benchmarks and coverage patterns across major payers, common billing considerations, and relevant policy context including authorization and reimbursement trends for complex pancreatic surgery. Clinical context elaborates on indications and expected care settings; billing context outlines common modifiers and procedural relationships where available.

This summary serves clinicians, billing professionals, and policy analysts seeking an authoritative, national overview of CPT code 48548 — its clinical purpose, payer landscape, and the operational considerations that influence coverage and hospital billing for pancreatic-enteric drainage procedures.