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Gastroenterology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Use 43219 for Feeding Tube Insertion

Published on Wed Jul 07, 2004

Question: The gastroenterologist performed an esophagoscopy and inserted a feeding tube into a patient with esophageal cancer. I was going to report 43200 (Esophagoscopy, rigid or flexible; diagnostic, with or without collection of specimen[s] by brushing or washing [separate procedure]) because I could find no better code. Is there a code for feeding tube insertion that I missed? Vermont Subscriber Answer: Yes, there is a more specific code, but you may have missed it because what you refer to as a "feeding" tube is called a "plastic" tube in CPT. You should report 43219 (Esophagoscopy, rigid or flexible; with insertion of plastic tube or stent).
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