Summary & Overview
HCPCS B4083: Levine-Type Stomach (Nasogastric) Tube
HCPCS Level II code B4083 denotes a Levine-type stomach tube, a nasogastric device used for gastric decompression, short-term enteral access, irrigation, or aspiration of gastric contents. Nationally, this code matters because it governs billing for a common durable medical supply used across acute and ambulatory care settings, influencing coverage, coding consistency, and supply management for hospitals, clinics, and home health providers. Key payers addressed in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will gain a concise overview of the code’s clinical context, typical sites of service, and payer coverage patterns. The publication outlines benchmarks where available, common billing modifiers, and practical documentation points that affect coding and claims adjudication. It also summarizes policy considerations relevant to supply classification and billing pathways for nasogastric devices. Where specific payer policies or coverage rules are not available in the input, the report notes that data is not available in the input. The content is intended for coding professionals, revenue cycle managers, and clinical staff seeking a focused reference on HCPCS Level II code B4083 and its role in procedural supply billing.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code B4083 represents a Levine-type stomach tube, a nasogastric tube typically used for gastric decompression, enteral access for short-term feeding, irrigation, or aspiration of gastric contents. The service type is a stomach (nasogastric) tube provision or supply. The typical site of service includes inpatient hospital settings, emergency departments, and outpatient clinics where nasogastric tube placement or supply is performed.
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Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult or pediatric inpatient or emergency department patient requiring short-term enteral access for gastric decompression, lavage, or intermittent feeding. Common scenarios include acute bowel obstruction with persistent vomiting, postoperative ileus after abdominal surgery, severe gastroparesis, or need for gastric decompression in a trauma patient. The procedure is performed by a nurse, advanced practice provider, or physician at the bedside in an inpatient ward, emergency department, or observation unit. The workflow includes assessment of indication and contraindications, informed consent as applicable, selection of an appropriate B4083 Levin-type stomach tube, insertion through the nares or mouth into the stomach using standard sterile technique (lubrication, patient positioning, and measurement to estimated gastric depth), confirmation of gastric placement by aspiration of gastric contents and pH testing or radiographic confirmation when indicated, securement of the tube, documentation of size and length inserted, drainage or feeding as ordered, and monitoring for complications such as epistaxis, misplacement into the airway, aspiration, or nasal mucosal injury. Removal occurs when clinical indications resolve; documented procedure note should include tube type (Levine), size, route, confirmation method, and patient tolerance.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
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