Gastroenterology Coding Alert

Question: One of our gastroenterologists removed a PEG tube during an office visit but did not replace it. We cannot find a code for the removal without a subsequent reinsertion. Should we report 43762?

Kentucky Subscriber

Answer: No. In this situation, you cannot report 43762 (Replacement of gastrostomy tube, percutaneous, includes removal, when performed, without imaging or endoscopic guidance; not requiring revision of gastrostomy tract), since this code only applies if the gastroenterologist removed the PEG tube, then placed another one.

Instead, your best bet for a PEG tube removal in the office is to report the appropriate outpatient E/M code (99201-99215, Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of a new/established patient ...), which you should select based on the physician’s documentation.