CPT 2012 Surgery / Digestive System 45330—45382

American Medical Association 245▲Revised code •New code Contains new or revised text Modifier 51 exempt

Coding TipDefinition of Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is the examination of the entire colon, from the rectum to the cecum, and may include the examination of the terminal ileum. When performing an endoscopy on a patient who is scheduled and prepared for a total colonoscopy, if the physician is unable to advance the colonoscope beyond the splenic flexure, due to unforeseen circumstances, report the colonoscopy code with modifier 53 and appropriate documentation.

CPT Coding Guidelines, Endoscopy

45355 Colonoscopy, rigid or flexible, transabdominal via colotomy, single or multiple

(For fiberoptic colonoscopy beyond 25cm to splenic flexure, see 45330-45345)

45378 Colonoscopy, flexible, proximal to splenic flexure; diagnostic, with or without collection of specimen(s) by brushing or washing, with or without colon decompression (separate procedure)£ CPT Assistant Spring 94:9, Aug 99:3, Jan 02:12, Jan 04:4,

May 05:3

Colonoscopy45378

A colonoscope is inserted in the anus and moved through the colon past the splenic flexure in order to visualize the lumen of the rectum and colon.

45379 with removal of foreign body£ CPT Assistant Spring 94:9, Aug 99:3

45380 with biopsy, single or multiple£ CPT Assistant Spring 94:9, Jan 96:7, Feb 99:11, Aug 99:3,

Jan 04:7, Jul 04:15

45381 with directed submucosal injection(s), any substance£ CPT Assistant Mar 03:22, Jan 04:7; CPT Changes: An

Insider's View 2003

45382 with control of bleeding (eg, injection, bipolar cautery, unipolar cautery, laser, heater probe, stapler, plasma coagulator)£ CPT Assistant Spring 94:9, Aug 99:3; CPT Changes: An

Insider's View 2002

45330 Sigmoidoscopy, flexible; diagnostic, with or without collection of specimen(s) by brushing or washing (separate procedure)£ CPT Assistant Spring 94:9, May 05:3, May 07:10, Nov 07:8

45331 with biopsy, single or multiple£ CPT Assistant Spring 94:9, Sep 96:6, Jan 07:28

45332 with removal of foreign body£ CPT Assistant Winter 90:3, Spring 94:9

45333 with removal of tumor(s), polyp(s), or other lesion(s) by hot biopsy forceps or bipolar cautery£ CPT Assistant Winter 90:3, Spring 94:9

45334 with control of bleeding (eg, injection, bipolar cautery, unipolar cautery, laser, heater probe, stapler, plasma coagulator)£ CPT Assistant Spring 94:9, Sep 96:6, Jan 07:28; CPT

Changes: An Insider's View 2002

45335 with directed submucosal injection(s), any substance£ CPT Assistant Mar 03:22; CPT Changes: An Insider's View

2003

45337 with decompression of volvulus, any method£ CPT Assistant Spring 94:9

45338 with removal of tumor(s), polyp(s), or other lesion(s) by snare technique£ CPT Assistant Spring 94:9

45339 with ablation of tumor(s), polyp(s), or other lesion(s) not amenable to removal by hot biopsy forceps, bipolar cautery or snare technique£ CPT Assistant Spring 94:9

45340 with dilation by balloon, 1 or more strictures£ CPT Changes: An Insider's View 2003

(Do not report 45340 in conjunction with 45345)

45341 with endoscopic ultrasound examination£ CPT Assistant Oct 01:4, May 05:3; CPT Changes: An Insider's

View 2001

45342 with transendoscopic ultrasound guided intramural or transmural fine needle aspiration/biopsy(s)£ CPT Assistant Oct 01:4, May 05:3; CPT Changes: An Insider's

View 2001

(Do not report 45341, 45342 in conjunction with 76942, 76975)

(For interpretation of specimen, see 88172-88173)

(For transrectal ultrasound utilizing rigid probe device, use 76872)

45345 with transendoscopic stent placement (includes predilation)£ CPT Assistant Nov 01:7; CPT Changes: An Insider's View

2001

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