Wiki tube placement

[mjewett]

Often times the surgeons I code for will place a gastrostomy tube during an open procedure. Code 43830 Gastrostomy open is not separately billable, when done in conjunction with other open procedures. Often times I find myself considering using the add-on code 44015 to capture coding for the intra-op tube placement.

Why does this code only specify Jejunostomy, and why isn't their an add on code for gastrostomy tube intra-op placement?

 

[cmartin]

Just one of the mysteries of the CPT. By the same token, there's always been a code for changing a gastrostomy tube unaided by mechanical devices, but not for changing a jejunostomy tube. Go figure.