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    v1.0.31
    OpenPayerBilling CodesTemporary National Codes (Non-Medicare)HCPCS hcpcs-s0285-colonoscopy-pre-procedure-consultation
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    HCPCS S0285: Colonoscopy Consultation Prior to Screening Colonoscopy

    HCPCS Level II code S0285 represents a colonoscopy consultation performed prior to a screening colonoscopy procedure; this service is an evaluation and counseling visit focused on the planned endoscopic screening and is typically performed in an outpatient clinic or endoscopy center prior to the procedural day.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Medical Necessity Guidelines Non-Emergency Transportation, Non-Emergent Transportation Medical Policy, Non-Emergency Facility to Facility Transfers.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is a 55-year-old average-risk adult referred for a screening colonoscopy. Prior to the scheduled procedure the patient attends a pre-procedure colonoscopy consultation with a gastroenterologist or colorectal surgeon to review medical history, informed consent, bowel preparation instructions, anesthesia options, and peri-procedural risk assessment. The consultation documents indications (screening due to age or family history), medication reconciliation (anticoagulants, antiplatelets), comorbidities (cardiac, pulmonary), and any special needs (mobility, prior abdominal surgery). If the clinician determines the patient is medically optimized and consents to the screening, the consultation supports scheduling the colonoscopy and is billed as a separate pre-procedure evaluation when appropriate. If an urgent symptom or significant new finding is identified that converts the visit to diagnostic or interventional intent, documentation reflects the change in clinical decision-making and diagnosis coding accordingly.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    45378Colonoscopy, flexible, diagnostic, with or without collection of specimen(s) by brushing or washing (separate procedure)Primary procedural CPT code for the screening/diagnostic colonoscopy that follows the consultation
    45380Colonoscopy, flexible, with biopsy, single or multipleUsed when mucosal biopsies are obtained during the colonoscopy that was preceded by the consultation
    45385Colonoscopy, flexible, with removal of tumor(s), polyp(s), or other lesion(s) by snare techniqueUsed when polypectomy is performed during the colonoscopy that the pre-op consultation anticipated
    00810Anesthesia for lower intestinal endoscopic procedure (colonoscopy)Anesthesia services commonly arranged and discussed during the pre-procedure consultation
    99203Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of a new patient, typically 30 minutesRepresentative E/M level used when the consultation is a separately billable office visit prior to screening colonoscopy
    99441Telephone evaluation service by a physician, 5-10 minutes of medical discussionUsed when brief pre-procedure counseling or result communication occurs by telephone and is billable

    Related Modifiers

    9 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    25CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    52Modifier ‑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…
    53Modifier 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…
    22Modifier –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…
    80CPT® 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…
    82Modifier 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…
    95Modifier 95 indicates that a service was provided via synchronous, real‑time audio‑video telehealth rather than in‑person. Per CMS, AAPC and professional associations, append modifier 95 to claim…- Use modifier 95 to indicate a service was furnished via synchronous, real‑time audiovisual telehealth (a live audio‑video conference between patient and provider) rather than in‑person. - Pair…
    33Modifier 33 was created by the American Medical Association in response to the Affordable Care Act to identify services provided for preventive intent. It is appended to CPT/HCPCS codes that could be…- Use modifier -33 when a CPT/HCPCS service that can be billed as either preventive or diagnostic/treatment is provided with preventive intent and aligns with USPSTF A or B recommendations or other…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207RG0100X
    207QS0010X
    207RH0002X
    363L00000X
    163W00000X
    2085N0904X
    253J00000X
    261QC1800X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Emergency & Medical Transportation1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Medical Necessity Guidelines Non-Emergency TransportationMass General Brigham Health Plan2026-11-01
    Non-Emergent Transportation Medical PolicyHealth-New-England2026-11-01
    Non-Emergency Facility to Facility Transfershap_caresource_mi_coordinated_health2026-11-01
    Ambulance and Medical Transport Services (Ground, Air and Water) Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2026-10-01
    Emergency Air/Water Ambulance Services Medical GuidelineWPS Health Insurance2026-10-01
    Non-Emergent Ambulance ServicesConnectiCare2026-09-11
    Fixed Wing Air Ambulance TransportCigna2026-08-15
    Air AmbulanceAmbetter Georgia2026-08-01
    Ambulance Services (for Tennessee Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Ambulance Services (for New Mexico Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01

    Related Codes

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S2152-SOLID-ORGAN-TRANSPLANTATION-GLOBAL-CARE

    HCPCS Level II S2152: Solid Organ Procurement and Transplantation

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S2266-INDUCED-ABORTION-29-TO-31-WEEKS

    HCPCS Level II S2266: Induced Abortion, 29 to 31 Weeks

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S3630-EOSINOPHIL-COUNT-BLOOD-DIRECT

    HCPCS Level II S3630: Eosinophil Count, Blood, Direct

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S4017-INCOMPLETE-ART-CYCLE-CANCELLED-PRIOR-TO-STIMULATION

    HCPCS Level II S4017: Incomplete Cycle — Cancelled Prior to Stimulation

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S8055-ULTRASOUND-GUIDANCE-MULTIFETAL-REDUCTION-TC

    HCPCS Level II S8055: Ultrasound Guidance for Multifetal Pregnancy Reduction

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S8940-EQUESTRIAN-HIPPOTHERAPY-PER-SESSION

    HCPCS Level II S8940: Equestrian/Hippotherapy, Per Session

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S9024-PARANASAL-SINUS-ULTRASOUND

    HCPCS Level II S9024: Paranasal Sinus Ultrasound

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S9366-HOME-TPN-1-2L-PER-DAY-HOME-INFUSION

    HCPCS Level II S9366: Home Infusion TPN, 1–2 L/day

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S9446-GROUP-PATIENT-EDUCATION-NON-PHYSICIAN

    HCPCS S9446: Patient Education, Non-Physician Provider, Group, Per Session

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S9451-EXERCISE-CLASS-NON-PHYSICIAN-SESSION

    HCPCS S9451: Exercise Classes, Non-Physician Provider, Per Session

    Showing 1–10 of 532

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 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. 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. 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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