Reader Questions:
Report 43219 for Feeding Tube Insertion
Published on Sat Sep 09, 2006
Question: The gastroenterologist performed an esophagoscopy and inserted a feeding tube into a patient with esophageal cancer. I was going to report 43200 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 than 43200 (Esophagoscopy, rigid or flexible; diagnostic, with or without collection of specimen[s] by brushing or washing [separate procedure]), but you may have missed it because what you refer to as a -feeding- tube is called a -plastic- tube in CPT.
In your case, you should report 43219 (Esophagoscopy, rigid or flexible; with insertion of plastic tube or stent).