2025 CPT code 43752
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Digestive System Surgery Feed
Placement of a nasogastric or orogastric tube, requiring physician skill and fluoroscopic guidance.
Modifiers 22 (increased procedural services), 50 (bilateral procedure), 52 (reduced services), 53 (discontinued procedure), 59 (distinct procedural service) and other applicable modifiers may be used depending on circumstances of the procedure.
Medical necessity for NG/OG tube placement is established when there is a clinical indication for decompression of the stomach, prevention of aspiration, or administration of medication or feeding.This could include conditions such as bowel obstruction, trauma, drug overdose, or inability to swallow.
The physician is responsible for the insertion of the nasogastric or orogastric tube, including the use of fluoroscopic guidance to ensure proper placement.They will also be responsible for securing the tube and aspirating stomach contents as needed. Pre-procedure steps such as topical anesthetic application are also the physician's responsibility. Post-procedure monitoring for complications is also included.
In simple words: The doctor inserts a thin tube through the nose or mouth into the patient's stomach.They use a special type of X-ray to guide the tube to make sure it's in the right place.This is done to remove stomach contents, to prevent vomiting, or to provide feeding.
This CPT code, 43752, encompasses the procedure of inserting a nasogastric (NG) or orogastric tube into the stomach via the nose or mouth, respectively.The physician utilizes fluoroscopic guidance to ensure proper placement of the tube into the stomach, avoiding entry into the respiratory tract. This procedure is performed for various reasons including aspiration of stomach contents for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, prevention of aspiration and vomiting (especially in trauma patients), and for enteral feeding.The procedure includes fluoroscopy, image documentation, and a report.The code does not include the placement of percutaneous gastrostomy tubes (use 49440 for that), or the placement of other enteric tubes (see 44500 and 74340).Do not use this code with critical care codes (99291-99292, 99468, 99469, 99471, 99472, 99478, 99479).
Example 1: A patient presents to the emergency department after a motor vehicle accident with suspected internal bleeding.The physician inserts a nasogastric tube under fluoroscopic guidance to decompress the stomach and prevent aspiration., A patient with a bowel obstruction requires decompression of the stomach. The physician inserts an orogastric tube using fluoroscopic guidance to ensure proper placement., A patient is admitted with a drug overdose.The physician inserts a nasogastric tube and uses it to lavage the stomach, removing the toxic substance.
*Pre-procedure assessment of patient's condition and airway.*Documentation of the type of tube used.*Fluoroscopic images demonstrating proper tube placement.*Documentation of the amount and character of any aspirated material.*Post-procedure assessment of patient's condition, including any complications.*Physician's report including the procedure performed and findings.
** The use of fluoroscopy is integral to this procedure and is included in the code.Accurate documentation of the procedure, including the use of fluoroscopy and any complications, is essential for proper billing and reimbursement.
- Revenue Code: P5E (AMBULATORY PROCEDURES - OTHER)
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: A technical component (TC) modifier is not applicable to this code.
- Specialties:Emergency Medicine, Gastroenterology, Surgery, Internal Medicine
- Place of Service:Office, Emergency Room - Hospital, Inpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center