Gastroenterology Coding Alert

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?

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).

Clinical and coding expertise for this issue provided by Michael Weinstein, MD, a gastroenterologist in Washington, D.C., and former member of the AMA's CPT Advisory Panel; and Linda Parks, MA, CPC, CMC, CMSCS, an independent coding consultant in Atlanta.