© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The CPT® Code 44372 refers to a specific medical procedure known as small intestinal endoscopy, specifically an enteroscopy that extends beyond the second portion of the duodenum, which does not include the ileum. This procedure involves the placement of a percutaneous jejunostomy tube (PEJ-tube), a device used to deliver nutrition directly into the jejunum for patients who are unable to consume food or liquids orally. The jejunum is the middle section of the small intestine, situated between the duodenum and the ileum, and plays a crucial role in nutrient absorption. During the procedure, an endoscope—a flexible tube equipped with a camera and light—is inserted through the mouth and advanced through the gastrointestinal tract to visualize the mucosal surfaces of the small intestine. The endoscopic examination allows for the identification of any abnormalities in the jejunum. Following the inspection, a small incision is made in the abdominal wall to facilitate the insertion of the PEJ-tube, which is then advanced into the jejunum to ensure proper placement for nutritional support. This procedure is particularly beneficial for patients with conditions that impair their ability to ingest food or liquids, providing a vital means of nutrition and hydration.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 44372 is indicated for patients who require nutritional support through a jejunostomy due to an inability to take food or liquids by mouth. This may include individuals with various medical conditions that affect swallowing, digestion, or absorption of nutrients.
The procedure begins with the administration of an anesthetic spray to numb the mouth and throat, facilitating the insertion of the endoscope. A hollow mouthpiece is placed in the patient's mouth to aid in the process. The flexible fiberoptic endoscope is then carefully inserted and advanced as the patient swallows. Once the endoscope passes beyond the cricopharyngeal region, it is guided into the duodenum under direct visualization. The physician inspects the mucosal surfaces of the small intestine, extending the examination beyond the second portion of the duodenum into the jejunum, while noting any abnormalities encountered during the inspection.
After the completion of the procedure, patients are typically monitored for any immediate complications related to the endoscopy or the jejunostomy tube placement. Post-procedure care may include instructions on how to care for the insertion site, signs of infection to watch for, and guidelines on how to manage the feeding tube. Patients may also receive dietary recommendations tailored to their specific needs, ensuring that they receive adequate nutrition through the newly placed PEJ-tube. Follow-up appointments are often scheduled to assess the placement of the tube and the patient's nutritional status.
| Short Descr | SMALL BOWEL ENDOSCOPY | Medium Descr | ENTEROSCOPY > 2ND PRTN W/PLMT PRQ TUBE | Long Descr | Small intestinal endoscopy, enteroscopy beyond second portion of duodenum, not including ileum; with placement of percutaneous jejunostomy tube | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 3 - Special payment adjustment rules for multiple endoscopic procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Endoscopic Base Code | 44360 Small intestinal endoscopy, enteroscopy beyond second portion of duodenum, not including ileum; diagnostic, including collection of specimen(s) by brushing or washing, when performed (separate procedure) | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC | ASC Payment Indicator | Surgical procedure on ASC list in CY 2007; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P8I - Endoscopy - other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 96 - Other OR lower GI therapeutic procedures |
| 22 | Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | 51 | Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 52 | Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use). | 58 | Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78. | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | 78 | Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.) | 79 | Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.) | 80 | Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s). | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure |
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| 2017-01-01 | Changed | Moderate (Conscious) Sedation flag removed. See new Moderate Sedation category. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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