2025 CPT code 49082
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Digestive System Surgery Feed
Abdominal paracentesis (diagnostic or therapeutic) without imaging guidance.
Modifiers may apply depending on the circumstances of the procedure.For example, modifier 59 (distinct procedural service) may be used if the paracentesis was performed as a distinct service separate from other procedures. Refer to CPT guidelines for appropriate modifier use.
Medical necessity for paracentesis is established when the patient exhibits symptoms and signs of abdominal distension, pain, or respiratory compromise attributable to the accumulation of ascites.Diagnostic paracentesis is medically necessary to evaluate the etiology of ascites or suspected abdominal pathology. Therapeutic paracentesis is medically necessary to alleviate symptoms related to ascites.
The physician or qualified healthcare professional performs the procedure, including prepping the patient, making the incision, inserting and removing the needle and catheter, monitoring for bleeding, and closing the incision.
In simple words: This is a procedure to remove fluid from the belly. A small cut is made, and a needle is used to drain the fluid. This helps relieve pressure and pain or allows doctors to test the fluid.
Abdominal paracentesis is a procedure involving the surgical puncture of the abdominal cavity to remove fluid for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.This specific code, 49082, applies when the procedure is performed without the use of imaging guidance (e.g., ultrasound). The procedure involves making an incision in the abdomen, inserting a needle and catheter to drain the fluid, and then removing the catheter and closing the incision. The removed fluid may be sent for laboratory analysis.
Example 1: A patient presents with significant abdominal distention and discomfort due to ascites (fluid buildup in the abdomen). Paracentesis is performed to relieve the pressure and improve the patient's comfort., A patient with suspected peritonitis undergoes paracentesis to obtain a sample of peritoneal fluid for analysis to identify the causative organism and guide antibiotic therapy., A patient with a history of liver disease has significant ascites.Therapeutic paracentesis is performed to remove a large volume of fluid to alleviate respiratory distress.
* Complete patient history and physical examination notes documenting the indication for paracentesis.* Detailed procedural notes specifying the approach used, amount of fluid removed, and any complications encountered.* Laboratory reports if fluid was sent for analysis.
** Always verify coding practices with payer specific guidelines for accurate billing and reimbursement.
- Revenue Code: P1G - MAJOR PROCEDURE - OTHER
- RVU: Information not available in source.RVUs vary by location and payer.
- Global Days: Information not available in source.The global period will depend on payer and other factors.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable.This is a single procedure code.
- Fee Schedule: Information not available in source. Historical fee schedules are location and payer specific.
- Specialties:Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Oncology, Surgery
- Place of Service:Office, Hospital (Inpatient or Outpatient), Ambulatory Surgical Center, Clinic