2025 CPT code 44373
Effective Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Digestive System Feed
Small intestinal endoscopy beyond the second portion of the duodenum, not including the ileum; with conversion of percutaneous gastrostomy tube to percutaneous jejunostomy tube.
Modifiers may be applicable to this code.For example, modifier 22 (Increased Procedural Services) might be used if the procedure was significantly more complex than usual.
Medical necessity for this procedure must be established by documenting the clinical indication for both the enteroscopy and the conversion of the feeding tube.Examples include impaired gastric emptying, intolerance to gastric feedings, or complications with the existing gastrostomy tube.
The physician performs the enteroscopy, examines the relevant portions of the digestive tract, and converts the gastrostomy tube to a jejunostomy tube.
In simple words: The physician uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera to examine the inside of your upper digestive system, up to a specific part of your small intestine. During the same procedure, the physician changes your feeding tube from your stomach to a different part of your small intestine.
This procedure involves examining the upper digestive tract, from the esophagus through the jejunum, using an endoscope. The existing percutaneous gastrostomy tube is then converted to a percutaneous jejunostomy tube.The ileum is not examined during this procedure.
Example 1: A patient with a percutaneous gastrostomy tube requires conversion to a percutaneous jejunostomy tube due to delayed gastric emptying and needs an evaluation of the small intestine., A patient with a percutaneous gastrostomy tube experiences complications and requires a jejunostomy tube. The physician performs an enteroscopy to evaluate the jejunum and ensure its suitability for the new tube placement., Following a surgical procedure, a patient with a gastrostomy tube develops intolerance to gastric feedings.The physician decides to convert the gastrostomy tube to a jejunostomy tube and performs an enteroscopy to assess the jejunum.
Documentation should include the reason for the procedure, the extent of the endoscopic examination (including the most distal portion of the small intestine reached), the technique used for converting the gastrostomy tube, and any findings or complications.
- Revenue Code: P8I (ENDOSCOPY - OTHER)
- Specialties:Gastroenterology, General Surgery
- Place of Service:Ambulatory Surgical Center, Hospital Inpatient, Hospital Outpatient