44381 Small bowel endoscopy br/wa
Also known as: small bowel endoscopy washout with biopsy, enteroscopy irrigation biopsy
Endoscopy of small bowel performed via enterotomy for blood removal, washout, and biopsy to clear field while obtaining tissue samples for diagnosis.
In Plain Language
camera surgery to clean intestine and take tissue sample; surgical cleaning with sampling
Clinical Context
Used when both field clearing (removal of blood/debris) and tissue confirmation are needed during enteroscopy, common in setting of intraoperative hemorrhage with unclear source.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 1.35 |
| Total RVU | 1.35 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
As a surgical CPT code, proper documentation must include the operative report detailing the procedure performed, patient positioning, approach, findings, and any complications. This code has a 0-day global period, meaning pre- and post-operative E&M visits are billable separately on the same day. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 1.35, this code ranks in the 7th percentile among Surgery codes — 5.9x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 44381?
CPT 44381 (Small bowel endoscopy br/wa) is a Surgery code. Endoscopy of small bowel performed via enterotomy for blood removal, washout, and biopsy to clear field while obtaining tissue samples for diagnosis.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 44381?
The work RVU for CPT 44381 is 1.35. This code is primarily used by Gastroenterology, General Surgery.
When is CPT 44381 used?
Used when both field clearing (removal of blood/debris) and tissue confirmation are needed during enteroscopy, common in setting of intraoperative hemorrhage with unclear source.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.