47533 Plmt biliary drainage catheter
Also known as: Percutaneous biliary drainage, PTBD catheter placement
Percutaneous placement of a biliary drainage catheter through the skin and into the bile ducts to relieve obstruction and allow external drainage of bile.
In Plain Language
Placing a drainage tube in the bile ducts through the skin
Clinical Context
Performed for malignant or benign biliary obstruction, cholangitis, or biliary leak. Provides temporary or definitive drainage depending on underlying pathology.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 5.25 |
| Total RVU | 5.25 |
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 5.25, this code ranks in the 35th percentile among Surgery codes — 1.5x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 47533?
CPT 47533 (Plmt biliary drainage catheter) is a Surgery code. Percutaneous placement of a biliary drainage catheter through the skin and into the bile ducts to relieve obstruction and allow external drainage of bile.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 47533?
The work RVU for CPT 47533 is 5.25. This code is primarily used by Interventional Radiology, Hepatobiliary Surgery.
When is CPT 47533 used?
Performed for malignant or benign biliary obstruction, cholangitis, or biliary leak. Provides temporary or definitive drainage depending on underlying pathology.
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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.