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Official Description

Placement of access through the biliary tree and into small bowel to assist with an endoscopic biliary procedure (eg, rendezvous procedure), percutaneous, including diagnostic cholangiography when performed, imaging guidance (eg, ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy), and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation, new access

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 47541 involves the placement of access through the biliary tree and into the small bowel, specifically to assist with an endoscopic biliary procedure, such as a rendezvous procedure. This complex intervention is typically performed when standard endoscopic techniques, like endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) or endoscopic ultrasound-guided rendezvous procedure (EUS-RV), are insufficient to visualize the biliary duct opening. The procedure begins with the insertion of an endoscope through the patient's nose or mouth, advancing it into the stomach and small intestine to locate the duodenal papilla, where the biliary duct opens. If the duct cannot be visualized, an ultrasound transducer may be utilized to enhance the visualization of the biliary anatomy. In cases where endoscopic access fails, a new percutaneous access to the biliary tree is established using a small-gauge needle advanced through the skin into the liver. This allows for the injection of contrast dye to visualize the biliary system through cholangiography. The procedure is performed under imaging guidance, which may include ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy, ensuring accurate placement of the guidewire into the biliary duct. The comprehensive nature of this procedure, including all associated imaging guidance and radiological supervision, is encapsulated in the CPT® Code 47541, which reflects the complexity and technical skill required to successfully complete the intervention.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure associated with CPT® Code 47541 is indicated for specific clinical scenarios where visualization and access to the biliary tree are necessary for further intervention. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:

  • Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiography (ERC) Failure - When standard ERC techniques do not allow for visualization of the biliary duct opening.
  • Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Rendezvous Procedure (EUS-RV) Failure - In cases where EUS fails to locate the biliary duct opening, necessitating alternative access methods.
  • Obstructive Biliary Conditions - Situations involving strictures, stones, or other obstructions that impede normal biliary flow and require intervention.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 47541 involves several critical steps to ensure successful access to the biliary tree:

  • Step 1: Endoscope Insertion - The procedure begins with the insertion of an endoscope through the patient's nose or mouth, advancing it into the stomach and small intestine. This allows the physician to locate the duodenal papilla, where the biliary duct opens.
  • Step 2: Visualization Attempts - The physician attempts to visualize the biliary duct opening using the endoscope. If visualization is unsuccessful, an ultrasound transducer may be introduced either over the endoscope or through its working channel to assist in locating the opening.
  • Step 3: Establishing Percutaneous Access - If the biliary duct opening remains elusive, a new percutaneous access to the biliary tree is established. A small-gauge needle is advanced through the skin into the liver to facilitate this access.
  • Step 4: Cholangiography - Once the needle is in place, contrast dye is injected to visualize the biliary system through a procedure known as cholangiography. This step is crucial for identifying the anatomy of the biliary tree.
  • Step 5: Guidewire Placement - Under fluoroscopic or ultrasonic guidance, a guidewire protected by a catheter is advanced transhepatically over the needle. The guidewire is carefully manipulated to reach the opening of the bile duct in the major papilla of the duodenum.
  • Step 6: Resuming Endoscopic Procedure - With the tip of the guidewire now exposed in the duodenum, the endoscopic biliary procedure can be resumed. The exposed guidewire serves as a marker for the location of the biliary duct opening, facilitating further intervention.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the procedure associated with CPT® Code 47541, patients may require monitoring for any potential complications related to the access and intervention. Expected recovery may vary based on individual patient factors and the complexity of the procedure performed. Patients should be observed for signs of infection, bleeding, or any adverse reactions to the contrast dye used during cholangiography. Follow-up imaging may be necessary to ensure the success of the biliary access and to evaluate the biliary system's function post-procedure. Additionally, appropriate documentation of the procedure, including imaging guidance and interpretation, is essential for compliance and billing purposes.

Short Descr PLMT ACCESS BIL TREE SM BWL
Medium Descr PLMT ACCESS THRU BILIARY TREE INTO SMALL BWL NEW
Long Descr Placement of access through the biliary tree and into small bowel to assist with an endoscopic biliary procedure (eg, rendezvous procedure), percutaneous, including diagnostic cholangiography when performed, imaging guidance (eg, ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy), and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation, new access
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple 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.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC
ASC Payment Indicator Device-intensive procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later; paid at adjusted rate.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P5E - Ambulatory procedures - other
MUE 1

This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.

47542 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Balloon dilation of biliary duct(s) or of ampulla (sphincteroplasty), percutaneous, including imaging guidance (eg, fluoroscopy), and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation, each duct (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
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).
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) 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).
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.
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
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.)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
82 Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident surgeon not available): the unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of modifier 82 appended to the usual procedure code number(s).
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
X5 Diagnostic services requested by another clinician: for reporting services by a clinician who furnishes care to the patient only as requested by another clinician or subsequent and related services requested by another clinician; this modifier is reported for patient relationships that may not be adequately captured by the above alternative categories; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the radiologist's interpretation of an imaging study requested by another clinician
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2017-01-01 Changed Moderate (Conscious) Sedation flag removed. See new Moderate Sedation category.
2016-01-01 Added Added
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