2025 CPT code 44360
Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Digestive System Feed
Small intestinal endoscopy, enteroscopy beyond the second portion of the duodenum, not including the ileum; diagnostic, including collection of specimen(s) by brushing or washing, when performed.
Modifiers may be applicable to this code, such as modifier 22 (Increased Procedural Services) if the procedure is significantly more complex than usual.
Medical necessity must be established for this procedure. The documentation should clearly demonstrate the clinical need for the examination and explain why less invasive diagnostic methods were not sufficient.
The physician is responsible for performing the enteroscopy, including inserting the endoscope, visualizing the small intestine, and collecting tissue samples. They also interpret the findings and determine the appropriate course of action.
In simple words: The doctor examines a part of your small intestine using a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end. This tube is inserted through your mouth and goes down to your stomach and beyond. The doctor will take small samples of tissue during the procedure using a brush or by rinsing the area.
This procedure involves inserting a flexible endoscope through the mouth and advancing it through the esophagus, stomach, and into the small intestine beyond the second part of the duodenum, but not including the ileum. The purpose is to examine the lining of the small intestine and collect tissue samples for analysis. Brushing or washing techniques are used to obtain the specimens.
Example 1: A patient presents with chronic diarrhea and abdominal pain. To evaluate for potential causes, such as Crohn's disease or celiac disease, the physician performs an enteroscopy with biopsies of the jejunum., A patient experiences obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. An enteroscopy is performed to examine the small intestine for sources of bleeding, such as arteriovenous malformations or ulcers., A patient has suspected small bowel tumors. Enteroscopy is performed to visualize the tumors, assess their extent, and obtain biopsies for diagnosis and staging.
Documentation should include the indication for the procedure, the extent of the examination (specifying that it went beyond the second portion of the duodenum but not into the ileum), the methods used for specimen collection (brushing or washing), and any findings. Photographs or videos taken during the procedure can also be included.
- Specialties:Gastroenterology
- Place of Service:Ambulatory Surgical Center, Hospital-Outpatient, Office