CPT 91117: Colonic Motility Study (Colon Manometry)

CPT code 91117 represents a colonic motility study (manometry) in which the provider evaluates the motor activity of the large intestine by measuring muscle contraction strength across physiologic states and after provocative stimulation. This functional test is clinically important for diagnosing disorders of colonic transit and motility, guiding management of chronic constipation, fecal incontinence, and other neurogastroenterology conditions. Nationally, accurate coding and coverage determination for 91117 affect access to specialized diagnostic testing and appropriate care pathways for patients with complex bowel dysfunction.

Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of the procedure, typical sites of service, and the clinical context in which the test is used. The publication provides benchmark perspectives and policy-relevant considerations around coverage and utilization, along with coding details necessary for billing teams and clinicians. Practical sections cover common modifiers and expected service line placement where available. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.

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Billing Code Overview

CPT code 91117 describes a diagnostic procedure in which the provider accesses the colon (large intestine) to measure the strength and pattern of colonic muscle contractions. The study records motor activity of the colon at rest, during sleep, on awakening, following meals, and after provocative stimuli such as pharmacologic agents or balloon distensions.

Service type: Colonic motility study (manometry) assessing motor function of the large intestine
Typical site of service: Gastroenterology procedure suite or hospital endoscopy/functional testing unit

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CPT 91117: Colonic Motility Study (Colon Manometry)

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Billing Code Overview

Service type: Colonic motility study (manometry) assessing motor function of the large intestine
Typical site of service: Gastroenterology procedure suite or hospital endoscopy/functional testing unit

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 45-year-old patient with chronic, unexplained constipation and intermittent abdominal pain is referred to a gastroenterologist after standard evaluations including colonoscopy and abdominal imaging are unrevealing. The clinician schedules a colonic manometry study to evaluate colonic motor function. The procedure involves endoscopic placement of a manometry catheter into the colon or placement via an existing stoma, monitoring resting and sleep motor activity, and provoking responses with meals, waking, pharmacologic agents (e.g., neostigmine), or controlled balloon distension. The clinical workflow includes pre-procedure consent and bowel preparation, insertion of the manometry catheter (often during a colonoscopy or under fluoroscopic guidance), prolonged monitoring in an outpatient ambulatory unit or inpatient setting, documentation of baseline and provoked motility patterns, interpretation by the gastroenterologist, and a diagnostic report guiding management for colonic inertia, pseudo-obstruction, or refractory slow-transit constipation.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`K59.0`	Constipation	Common indication for colonic manometry to evaluate slow-transit constipation and colonic inertia
`K59.1`	Functional diarrhea	Differentiation of motility patterns may be relevant when mixed bowel symptoms occur
`K59.2`	Neurogenic bowel, not elsewhere classified	Colonic motility testing can assess dysfunction related to neurologic disease
`K56.7`	Ileus, unspecified	Manometry helps distinguish mechanical obstruction from severe motility failure in selected cases
`R10.9`	Abdominal pain, unspecified	Chronic unexplained abdominal pain may prompt motility testing when other workup is unrevealing

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`44388`	Colonoscopy, flexible; with removal of foreign body	Colonoscopy may be used to place a manometry catheter or to evaluate findings prior to `91117`
`43453`	Esophageal manometry (high-resolution) — diagnostic	Analagous motility study workflow; referenced for interpretation standards though different organ system
`91110`	Anal manometry, anorectal manometry; diagnostic	Often performed in conjunction when evaluating defecatory disorders alongside `91117`
`96372`	Therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic injection (e.g., medication administration)	Used when pharmacologic provocation (e.g., neostigmine) is administered during the study
`51784`	Bladder manometry	Other regional physiologic pressure monitoring studies sometimes co-ordered in complex pelvic floor dysfunction evaluations

Related Modifiers

8 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
22	Modifier –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…
23	Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…	- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
26	Modifier 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…
52	Modifier ‑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…
53	Modifier 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…
78	CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…	- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
80	CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…	- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…
82	Modifier 82 is appended to a surgical CPT code to indicate that an attending physician acted as an assistant because a qualified resident surgeon was unavailable. In teaching hospitals it documents…	- When to use: Append modifier 82 in teaching-hospital settings to indicate a physician served as an assistant surgeon because a qualified resident surgeon was unavailable (includes situations where…

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207RC0000X	Cardiovascular Disease Physician	An internist who specializes in diseases of the heart and blood vessels and manages complex cardiac conditions such as heart attacks and life-threaten…
207RH0000X	Hematology (Internal Medicine) Physician	An internist with additional training who specializes in diseases of the blood, spleen and lymph. This specialist treats conditions such as anemia, cl…
363L00000X	Nurse Practitioner	(1) A registered nurse provider with a graduate degree in nursing prepared for advanced practice involving independent and interdependent decision mak…
208D00000X	General Practice Physician	A physician who specializes in the general practice of diagnosing, treating, and managing patients with a variety of illnesses and conditions.
2084V0102X	Vascular Neurology Physician	Vascular Neurology is a subspecialty in the evaluation, prevention, treatment and recovery from vascular diseases of the nervous system. This subspeci…
146E00000X	Community Paramedic	A Community Paramedic is trained in responding to a scene and arranging appointments and transportation to alternate destinations through established …
103TP0814X	Psychoanalysis Psychologist	A psychologist whose specialty is distinguished from other specialties by its body of knowledge and its intensive treatment approaches. It aims at str…
163WU0100X	Urology Registered Nurse	Nursing Service Providers · Registered Nurse

CPT 91110: Capsule Endoscopy, Esophagus Through Ileum

CPT-91111-ESOPHAGEAL-CAPSULE-ENDOSCOPY-IMAGING-INTERPRETATION

CPT 91111: Esophageal Capsule Endoscopy, Imaging and Interpretation

CPT-91112-WIRELESS-CAPSULE-GASTRIC-COLONIC-MOTILITY-STUDY

CPT 91112: Wireless Capsule Gastric and Colonic Motility Study

CPT-91113-COLON-CAPSULE-ENDOSCOPY-IMAGING-INTERPRETATION

CPT 91113: Colon Capsule Endoscopy Imaging and Interpretation

CPT-91124-RECTAL-SENSATION-TONE-COMPLIANCE-STUDY

CPT 91124: Rectal Sensation, Tone, and Compliance Study

CPT-91125-ANORECTAL-MANOMETRY-AND-RECTAL-FUNCTION-TESTING

CPT 91125: Anorectal Manometry and Rectal Function Testing

References

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.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.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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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`K59.0`	Constipation	Common indication for colonic manometry to evaluate slow-transit constipation and colonic inertia
`K59.1`	Functional diarrhea	Differentiation of motility patterns may be relevant when mixed bowel symptoms occur
`K59.2`	Neurogenic bowel, not elsewhere classified	Colonic motility testing can assess dysfunction related to neurologic disease
`K56.7`	Ileus, unspecified	Manometry helps distinguish mechanical obstruction from severe motility failure in selected cases
`R10.9`	Abdominal pain, unspecified	Chronic unexplained abdominal pain may prompt motility testing when other workup is unrevealing

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`44388`	Colonoscopy, flexible; with removal of foreign body	Colonoscopy may be used to place a manometry catheter or to evaluate findings prior to `91117`
`43453`	Esophageal manometry (high-resolution) — diagnostic	Analagous motility study workflow; referenced for interpretation standards though different organ system
`91110`	Anal manometry, anorectal manometry; diagnostic	Often performed in conjunction when evaluating defecatory disorders alongside `91117`
`96372`	Therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic injection (e.g., medication administration)	Used when pharmacologic provocation (e.g., neostigmine) is administered during the study
`51784`	Bladder manometry	Other regional physiologic pressure monitoring studies sometimes co-ordered in complex pelvic floor dysfunction evaluations

Related Modifiers

8 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
22	Modifier –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…
23	Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…	- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
26	Modifier 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…
52	Modifier ‑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…
53	Modifier 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…
78	CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…	- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
80	CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…	- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…
82	Modifier 82 is appended to a surgical CPT code to indicate that an attending physician acted as an assistant because a qualified resident surgeon was unavailable. In teaching hospitals it documents…	- When to use: Append modifier 82 in teaching-hospital settings to indicate a physician served as an assistant surgeon because a qualified resident surgeon was unavailable (includes situations where…

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207RC0000X	Cardiovascular Disease Physician	An internist who specializes in diseases of the heart and blood vessels and manages complex cardiac conditions such as heart attacks and life-threaten…
207RH0000X	Hematology (Internal Medicine) Physician	An internist with additional training who specializes in diseases of the blood, spleen and lymph. This specialist treats conditions such as anemia, cl…
363L00000X	Nurse Practitioner	(1) A registered nurse provider with a graduate degree in nursing prepared for advanced practice involving independent and interdependent decision mak…
208D00000X	General Practice Physician	A physician who specializes in the general practice of diagnosing, treating, and managing patients with a variety of illnesses and conditions.
2084V0102X	Vascular Neurology Physician	Vascular Neurology is a subspecialty in the evaluation, prevention, treatment and recovery from vascular diseases of the nervous system. This subspeci…
146E00000X	Community Paramedic	A Community Paramedic is trained in responding to a scene and arranging appointments and transportation to alternate destinations through established …
103TP0814X	Psychoanalysis Psychologist	A psychologist whose specialty is distinguished from other specialties by its body of knowledge and its intensive treatment approaches. It aims at str…
163WU0100X	Urology Registered Nurse	Nursing Service Providers · Registered Nurse

CPT 91110: Capsule Endoscopy, Esophagus Through Ileum

CPT-91111-ESOPHAGEAL-CAPSULE-ENDOSCOPY-IMAGING-INTERPRETATION

CPT 91111: Esophageal Capsule Endoscopy, Imaging and Interpretation

CPT-91112-WIRELESS-CAPSULE-GASTRIC-COLONIC-MOTILITY-STUDY

CPT 91112: Wireless Capsule Gastric and Colonic Motility Study

CPT-91113-COLON-CAPSULE-ENDOSCOPY-IMAGING-INTERPRETATION

CPT 91113: Colon Capsule Endoscopy Imaging and Interpretation

CPT-91124-RECTAL-SENSATION-TONE-COMPLIANCE-STUDY

CPT 91124: Rectal Sensation, Tone, and Compliance Study

CPT-91125-ANORECTAL-MANOMETRY-AND-RECTAL-FUNCTION-TESTING

CPT 91125: Anorectal Manometry and Rectal Function Testing

References

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.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.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.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

OpenPayer

CPT 91117: Colonic Motility Study (Colon Manometry)

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Billing Code Overview

OpenPayer

CPT 91117: Colonic Motility Study (Colon Manometry)

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Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Codes

References