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The procedure described by CPT® Code 47544 involves the removal of calculi or debris from the biliary ducts and/or gallbladder using a percutaneous approach. This minimally invasive technique is particularly beneficial for managing biliary stones when traditional endoscopic extraction methods are either unsuccessful or declined by the patient. The term "percutaneous" refers to the method of accessing the biliary system through the skin, which allows for a less invasive alternative to open surgery. The procedure may involve various techniques for the destruction of stones, including mechanical methods, electrohydraulic techniques, or lithotripsy, which is a method that uses shock waves to break stones into smaller pieces. Imaging guidance, such as fluoroscopy, is utilized throughout the procedure to ensure accurate placement of instruments and to visualize the biliary tree. This imaging is crucial for the safe and effective removal of stones, as it allows the physician to monitor the progress of the procedure in real-time. Additionally, the code encompasses all associated radiological supervision and interpretation, ensuring that the imaging aspects of the procedure are fully accounted for in the coding process. Overall, CPT® Code 47544 captures the comprehensive nature of this procedure, which includes not only the removal of stones but also the necessary imaging and supervision required to perform it safely and effectively.
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The procedure associated with CPT® Code 47544 is indicated for the removal of calculi or debris from the biliary ducts and/or gallbladder. The specific indications for this procedure may include:
The procedure for CPT® Code 47544 involves several detailed steps to ensure effective removal of biliary stones. The following procedural steps are outlined:
Post-procedure care following the removal of calculi using CPT® Code 47544 typically involves monitoring the patient for any immediate complications, such as bleeding or infection. Patients may be observed for signs of biliary obstruction or other adverse effects related to the procedure. Follow-up imaging may be required to confirm the successful removal of stones and to assess the condition of the biliary ducts. Additionally, instructions regarding activity restrictions and signs of complications to watch for at home will be provided to the patient. If a percutaneous transhepatic drainage catheter was placed, care instructions for the catheter site will also be given to ensure proper healing and to prevent infection.
| Short Descr | REMOVAL DUCT GLBLDR CALCULI | Medium Descr | REMOVAL BILIARY DUCT &/GLBLDR CALCULI PERQ RS&I | Long Descr | Removal of calculi/debris from biliary duct(s) and/or gallbladder, percutaneous, including destruction of calculi by any method (eg, mechanical, electrohydraulic, lithotripsy) when performed, imaging guidance (eg, fluoroscopy), and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | ZZZ - Code Related to Another Service | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 0 - No 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 | Items and Services Packaged into APC Rates | ASC Payment Indicator | Packaged service/item; no separate payment made. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P5E - Ambulatory procedures - other | MUE | 1 |
This is an add-on code that must be used in conjunction with one of these primary codes.
| 47531 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC Q2 ASC N1 Injection procedure for cholangiography, percutaneous, complete diagnostic procedure including imaging guidance (eg, ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy) and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation; existing access | 47532 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC Q2 ASC N1 Injection procedure for cholangiography, percutaneous, complete diagnostic procedure including imaging guidance (eg, ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy) and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation; new access (eg, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram) | 47533 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC G2 Placement of biliary drainage catheter, percutaneous, including diagnostic cholangiography when performed, imaging guidance (eg, ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy), and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation; external | 47534 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC G2 Placement of biliary drainage catheter, percutaneous, including diagnostic cholangiography when performed, imaging guidance (eg, ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy), and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation; internal-external | 47535 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC G2 Conversion of external biliary drainage catheter to internal-external biliary drainage catheter, percutaneous, including diagnostic cholangiography when performed, imaging guidance (eg, fluoroscopy), and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation | 47536 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC G2 Exchange of biliary drainage catheter (eg, external, internal-external, or conversion of internal-external to external only), percutaneous, including diagnostic cholangiography when performed, imaging guidance (eg, fluoroscopy), and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation | 47537 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC Q2 ASC G2 Removal of biliary drainage catheter, percutaneous, requiring fluoroscopic guidance (eg, with concurrent indwelling biliary stents), including diagnostic cholangiography when performed, imaging guidance (eg, fluoroscopy), and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation | 47538 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC J8 Placement of stent(s) into a bile duct, percutaneous, including diagnostic cholangiography, imaging guidance (eg, fluoroscopy and/or ultrasound), balloon dilation, catheter exchange(s) and catheter removal(s) when performed, and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation; existing access | 47539 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC J8 Placement of stent(s) into a bile duct, percutaneous, including diagnostic cholangiography, imaging guidance (eg, fluoroscopy and/or ultrasound), balloon dilation, catheter exchange(s) and catheter removal(s) when performed, and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation; new access, without placement of separate biliary drainage catheter | 47540 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC J8 Placement of stent(s) into a bile duct, percutaneous, including diagnostic cholangiography, imaging guidance (eg, fluoroscopy and/or ultrasound), balloon dilation, catheter exchange(s) and catheter removal(s) when performed, and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation; new access, with placement of separate biliary drainage catheter (eg, external or internal-external) |
| 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). | 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. | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | 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 | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service |
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| 2017-01-01 | Changed | Moderate (Conscious) Sedation flag removed. See new Moderate Sedation category. |
| 2017-01-01 | Changed | Guideline Changed. |
| 2016-01-01 | Added | Added |
| 2016-01-01 | Changed | Changed AMA Guideline |
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