CPT code 49422 denotes the surgical removal of an existing tunneled intraperitoneal catheter used to drain recurrent abdominal fluid collections, such as ascites. Nationally, this code matters because it captures a discrete, procedure-based service tied to chronic fluid management, surgical device management, and post-procedural care pathways. Proper coding affects hospital and ambulatory surgical center claims, device tracking, and case-mix reporting.

Key payers in the analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of the clinical intent of the code, typical sites of service, common billing considerations, and the types of benchmarks and policy topics that tend to affect payment and utilization for this service. The publication summarizes typical modifiers and claim-line considerations (where available), highlights payer coverage patterns in broad terms, and outlines policy updates or coding guidance relevant to tunneled peritoneal catheter explantation.

This report is written for a national audience and focuses on clinical context, coding definition, and the policy implications that influence reimbursement and utilization monitoring for CPT code 49422. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.