47534 Plmt biliary drainage catheter
Also known as: Complex percutaneous biliary drainage, PTBD with intervention
Percutaneous placement of a biliary drainage catheter for external drainage with associated interventions such as stone removal, stricture dilation, or multiple levels of drainage.
In Plain Language
Placing a drainage tube in the bile ducts with additional procedures
Clinical Context
Performed when initial drainage is combined with therapeutic interventions like stricture dilation, stone extraction, or management of complex anatomy.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 7.41 |
| Total RVU | 7.41 |
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 7.41, this code ranks in the 47th percentile among Surgery codes — 1.1x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 47534?
CPT 47534 (Plmt biliary drainage catheter) is a Surgery code. Percutaneous placement of a biliary drainage catheter for external drainage with associated interventions such as stone removal, stricture dilation, or multiple levels of drainage.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 47534?
The work RVU for CPT 47534 is 7.41. This code is primarily used by Interventional Radiology, Hepatobiliary Surgery.
When is CPT 47534 used?
Performed when initial drainage is combined with therapeutic interventions like stricture dilation, stone extraction, or management of complex anatomy.
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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.